Belgium should have the ball, with **De Bruyne** running the tempo and their wide attackers stretching Egypt’s compact block; the market’s 57% win probability fits a game where Belgium control territory more than transition volume. Egypt’s route is the opposite: stay narrow, protect the box, and spring forward quickly through **Ibrahim Adel**, **Mostafa Ziko** and **Haissem Hassan** before Belgium’s rest defense is set. The key battles are Belgium’s midfield circulation versus Egypt’s defensive screen, and Belgium’s ability to create clean chances from half-spaces and set pieces rather than forcing crosses into traffic. If Egypt survive the first hour without conceding, the draw becomes live; if Belgium score early, their possession edge should open the game and expose Egypt to sustained pressure.
