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Belgium disappoint Garcia
Seattle: Head coach Rudi Garcia challenged his Belgium players to get on the winning track in their next match after settling for a 1-1 draw with Egypt in their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match on Monday.
The European side equalised through Mohamed Hany's own goal in the 66th minute after he diverted Romelu Lukaku's cross, with Egypt ​having taken the lead in the 18th minute through Emam Ashour.

Garcia ​said Belgium have to get three points against the Islamic Republic of Iran when the teams meet on Sunday.

"We have to win against Iran. There are no two ways about it," said Garcia. "We should have been better as ​a team in the first half."
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The head coach, however, was pleased with Lukaku's impact, with the forward initiating the equaliser minutes after coming on as a substitute.

"I'm happy for him, and when you're an opponent and you see Lukaku coming ‌onto ⁠the pitch you're probably quaking in your boots and your level of concern is probably on the rise," Garcia said, adding that the striker is not ready to start after only sporadically playing last season ​for Serie A ​side Napoli.

Photos: AFP