The Pharaohs took the lead with a stunning strike from Emam Ashour in the 20th minute, showcasing their prowess against the formidable Belgians. However, Belgium equalized in the 66th minute when record scorer Romelu Lukaku, just over 20 seconds after entering the match, inadvertently forced an own goal from Mohamed Hany.

"I’m not here to define Egypt’s stature. Our players are of exceptional quality, and we are fortunate to have two of the world's best with us, fueling our motivation," he stated, referring to captain Mohamed Salah and striker Omar Marmoush.

"We are certainly not here merely to fill numbers. We had victory within our grasp today."

Competing in their fourth World Cup, Egypt is on a quest for their best-ever performance. Their campaign kicked off impressively in Seattle, where they generated 14 goal attempts and went head-to-head with one of the world’s top-ranked teams.

"This was our top priority, our primary focus. We didn’t entertain thoughts of anything else," Hassan remarked.

"However, a draw against such a formidable opponent is, in itself, a victory. They boast an array of outstanding players."

Salah and Marmoush: A Ferocious Duo

Hassan defended his choice to substitute captain and goal-scoring machine Salah when the score was tied, commending both him and Marmoush for their exceptional performances.

"We don’t depend on a single player; we rely on our entire squad of 26," he emphasized. "Salah and Marmoush gave their all, delivering relentless efforts throughout the match."

Egypt’s finest World Cup campaign occurred in 1990, where they secured two draws and a defeat, with coach Hassan himself among the players.

Hassan noted that Egypt's participation in this World Cup transcends the event itself, serving as part of a broader initiative to reinvent the national team and instill a belief that they can contend in global football.

"With 120 million people in Egypt, we must field a strong squad. Ambition is essential, and we aim to represent all of these individuals," he asserted.

"I told the players that we need to forge a new national identity for our team. We strive to enhance their mindset, prepare them thoroughly, and build their confidence in being a formidable unit."

Next up for Egypt are matches against New Zealand and Iran in Group G.

Read Flashscore's analysis from the encounter now.