Belgium coach Rudi Garcia admitted his side fell short of expectations after opening their FIFA World Cup campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Egypt on Monday, insisting there is now no margin for error when they face Iran in their second Group G match.
The result leaves Belgium under immediate pressure in a tightly contested group, with Garcia making it clear that victory against Iran on Sunday has become essential if his side hopes to reach the knockout stage for the first time since the 2018 World Cup.
“We have to win against Iran,” Garcia said after the match. “There are no two ways about it.”
Belgium struggled to establish control during the opening half as Egypt produced the sharper performance from the outset. The North African side deservedly took the lead in the 18th minute when midfielder Emam Ashour unleashed a powerful strike to score his first international goal and reward Egypt’s energetic start.
Garcia acknowledged that Belgium’s collective display before halftime failed to meet the standard expected from one of Europe’s traditional football powers.
“We should have been better as a team in the first half,” the Belgian manager said.
Belgium gradually improved after the break and eventually found an equalizer in the 66th minute. The goal came shortly after Romelu Lukaku entered the match from the bench, with Egypt defender Mohamed Hany inadvertently turning a dangerous cross into his own net while attempting to prevent the veteran striker from reaching the ball.
Although Lukaku was not credited with the goal, Garcia believes the Napoli forward’s presence immediately altered the complexion of the contest by forcing Egypt’s defense into mistakes.
“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.
Despite Lukaku’s impact, Garcia confirmed the experienced striker is still working his way back to full match fitness after an interrupted club season with Napoli. As a result, Belgium is not yet prepared to hand him a place in the starting lineup.
The Belgian coach also revealed that winger Jeremy Doku was substituted late in the match because of a respiratory issue rather than a tactical decision. Doku left the field in the 86th minute and was replaced by Matias Fernandez-Pardo after experiencing breathing difficulties.
Garcia downplayed the severity of the problem but acknowledged that medical staff preferred not to take unnecessary risks with one of Belgium’s most dangerous attacking players.
“He has a little bit of a niggle,” Garcia said. “He’s got a breathing issue. It’s going a lot better, but I think he needed to come off the pitch so that he keeps a little bit of wind in him, a bit of energy for the next game.”
Belgium will now turn their full attention to Sunday’s meeting with Iran, knowing anything less than three points could leave their qualification hopes in serious jeopardy before the final round of group-stage fixtures.
The outcome of Group G remains finely balanced, with Iran scheduled to face New Zealand later on Monday. That result could further shape the standings before Belgium returns to action in what Garcia has already described as a must-win encounter.
While Belgium salvaged a point through persistence and Lukaku’s influence, the performance exposed weaknesses that will need to be addressed quickly if the Red Devils are to fulfill their ambitions of making a deep run in the tournament. After failing to capitalize on possession for long stretches against Egypt, Garcia’s squad now faces the challenge of producing a far more convincing display against an Iranian side that could arrive with momentum depending on the outcome of its opening match.
