Salah's birthday assist gives Egypt halftime lead over Belgium

Egypt have made the most of the sweltering conditions at Seattle Stadium, taking a surprise lead against Belgium in their FIFA World Cup Group G clash on Tuesday.

The breakthrough came in the 20th minute through Emam Ashour, with the assist providing a perfect birthday gift for captain Mohamed Salah, who turned 34 on matchday.

The goal came at the end of a slick Egyptian move. Salah laid the ball off to Ashour just outside the penalty area, and the midfielder unleashed a right-footed strike from distance that flew beyond the reach of Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and nestled into the bottom-left corner.

Belgium responded by increasing the tempo, with Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Youri Tielemans leading a series of attacks on the Egyptian goal. However, Egypt's defence stood firm against the pressure.

Belgium came close to an equaliser in the 31st minute when Tielemans rose to meet a Timothy Castagne cross, but his header drifted wide of the right post.

Egypt nearly doubled their advantage two minutes later. Mostafa Zico cut in from the right and fired a shot on target, forcing Courtois into a save to keep Belgium within one goal.

With Egypt holding a 1-0 lead, the North Africans remain on course for what would be their first-ever victory at a FIFA World Cup finals. If the scoreline holds, it would also provide Salah with a memorable birthday celebration.

Lineups:

Belgium: Thibaut Courtois; Thomas Meunier, Brandon Mechele, Nathan Ngoy, Timothy Castagne; Youri Tielemans, Kevin De Bruyne, Amadou Onana; Leandro Trossard, Charles De Ketelaere, Jeremy Doku

Egypt: Mostafa Shobeir; Mohamed Hany, Hamdi Fathi, Yasser Ibrahim, Ahmed Fattouh; Mohannad Lasheen, Marwan Attia; Mohamed Salah, Mostafa Abdel Raouf "Zico", Emam Ashour; Omar Marmoush