Two goals from Mostafa Mohamed and Mahmoud Trezeguet gave Egypt a stunning 2-1 victory over Belgium, the world’s second-ranked team, in a friendly game played in Kuwait on Friday.
Egypt produced a near-flawless display to down the European heavyweights, whose form will be alarming before they open their World Cup campaign against Canada on Wednesday.
The Pharaohs, who missed out on a World Cup place following a bitter shootout defeat by Senegal in a two-legged qualifying playoff last March, looked composed throughout, keeping the likes of Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne shackled for much of the game.
They relied on some neatly-worked breakaways to threaten Belgium, who struggled for openings apart from a brief period of pressure early on.
Egypt gave new Portuguese coach Rui Vitoria his third victory from as many games after friendly wins over Niger and Liberia earlier this year.
“We secured an important win in a difficult game against a strong opponent; the world’s second-ranked team,” Vitoria said in the press conference after the match.
“I am proud of my players for deploying my tactics perfectly whether through training or against a strong rival today.”
“I am happy to please all the Egyptian fans in the stands and also those who were supporting us in Egypt. That was my main target,” the 52-year-old coach added.
