BELGIUM finish their preparations for the 2022 World Cup when they face Egypt today.
The Red Devils will be hoping that they can make it to the latter stages of the tournament as their golden generation are yet to lift an international trophy.
- Start time: 3pm GMT
- Live stream/TV: Not televised in UK
Follow all the action with our live blog below…
Lukaku
Belgium are definitely missing their star forward today.
Here he is is sitting alongside the Belgium substitutes in Kuwait today.
A muscular injury has kept his name off the team sheet in this game.
Belgium’s struggles
I imagine that Roberto Martinez had this game down as an opportunity to give his team a confidence boost ahead of their first game at the World Cup against Canada on Wednesday.
But this game seems to be having the total opposite effect.
There could be the opportunity for a few Belgium players to stake a claim for a starting place against Canada in the second half here.
Half-Time: Belgium 0 – 1 Egypt
45, And that’s half time.
Egypt are ahead at the break thanks to Mohamed’s 33rd minute goal.
Belgium 0 – 1 Egypt
45, We’re going to have two minutes of time added on at the end of the first half.
Can Belgium find a goal before the interval?
Belgium 0 – 1 Egypt
42, Belgium lose the ball cheaply in their own half again.
This time it doesn’t end in a chance for Egypt but the Red Devils have been so lackadaisical in their play so far today.
Belgium 0 – 1 Egypt
40, Carrasco almost equalises straight away.
El Shenawy punches De Bruyne’s corner out to the edge of the area and the Atletico Madrid man volleys teh ball back towards goal.
The Egypt goalkeeper is equal to it though, and he drops to his right to make a smart save.
GOAL! Belgium 0 – 1 Egypt
33, Mohamed has scored for Egypt!
I have definitely just jinxed De Bruyne!
The Belgium midfielder loses the ball on the edge of his own penalty area and Mostafa Mohamed fires the ball into the bottom corner to put the Pharaohs ahead!
Belgium 0 – 0 Egypt
30, De Bruyne looks a class above here.
He dribbles past three Egypt defenders before finally being tackled on the edge of of the penalty area.
You feel he will have to show his best form at the World Cup if the Red Devils are to reach the latter stages of the competition.
Belgium 0 – 0 Egypt
30, The scores are still level as we pass the half hour mark.
Belgium have struggled to break down the compact Egypt defence and the Pharaohs have probably had the better share of the chances so far.
Belgium 0 – 0 Egypt
27, Courtois is called into action again as Trezeguet makes another run in behind Alderweireld.
The former Spurs man never relied on his pace but he really doesn’t seem happy when forced to chase back towards his own goal.
Courtois does well to come off his line to beat Trezeguet to the ball.
Belgium 0 – 0 Egypt
25, Theate curls an effort narrowly over the crossbar.
The ball sat up nicely for him on the edge of the penalty area but he just couldn’t keep his shot down.
Belgium 0 – 0 Egypt
23, Egypt’s game plan is clear for all to see here.
They’re getting everyone behind the ball when Belgium have possession and look to spring forward as quickly as possible when they win the ball.
It seems to be working for them so far.
Belgium 0 – 0 Egypt
21, Trezeguet has another shot saved!
Elneny’s perfectly weighted through ball sends Trezeguet in behind the Belgium defence but the winger can’t direct the ball beyond the onrushing Courtois.
Egypt are showing a real threat when they do get forward.
Belgium 0 – 0 Egypt
19, Belgium are racking up the corner count already here.
De Bruyne sends in his fourth of the afternoon already, but again it is well defended by Egypt who head clear.
Belgium 0 – 0 Egypt
17, Tamfik does well to intercept a through ball that would have sent Carrasco through one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
Belgium 0 – 0 Egypt
15, We’ve just been shown a replay of when Batshuayi hit the crossbar and he was indeed half a mile offside.
There is pressure on the former Chelsea man to provide the goals for Belgium in Lukaku’s absence.
Belgium 0 – 0 Egypt
11, Trezuguet forces Courtois into a smart save.
Trezeguet’s forward run was picked out by Salah’s inch-perfect pass but the former Villa winger couldn’t beat Courtois at his near post.
Belgium 0 – 0 Egypt
10, Batshuayi rattles a shot off the crossbar!
The forward looked a mile offside when he was played in behind by Castagne’s through ball.
The assistant on the far side kept his flag down but that surely would have been ruled out had it gone in.
Belgium 0 – 0 Egypt
8, The Red Devils are beginning to dominate possession here.
Egypt are doing their best to press high but the Belgium players are easily combining to work the ball past them.
Belgium 0 – 0 Egypt
6, No penalty!
The referee sticks with his on-field decision.
Correct decision, I think.
Belgium 0 – 0 Egypt
5, The referee is advised to have a look at his monitor to take another look at the incident involving Batshuayi.
The VAR official has spotted what he thinks is a handball by the Egypt defender.
Would be very harsh if its given as his hand was down by his side.
Belgium 0 – 0 Egypt
4, Alderweireld finds Ede Hazard with one of his trademark crossfield passes.
Hazard takes the ball down and passes to Batshuayi who has found space in Egypot’s penalty area.
The Begium forward, though, is quickly crowded out.
Belgium 0 – 0 Egypt
2, Belgium get forward early as Carrasco advances down the left wing, but his pass into the box is behind all of his teammates and Egypt clear.
Expect to see Carrasco take up some very attacking positions from his position at left wing back.
Kick-off: Belgium 0 – 0 Egypt
1, Peep! Referee Ibrahim Nour El-Din blows his whistle and gets us underway.
Who are you backing for this one?
Here come the teams
Both sets of players are making their way out of the tunnel at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium.
Kick off is coming up next!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
