Homos met a cross from Mohamed Abo Terika and headed the ball past goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Goalkeeper Essam El Hadary made several tough saves for the African champions, who were coming off a controversial 4-3 loss to five-time World Cup winner Brazil in their opener.
Brazil (2-0) leads Group B with six points following a 3-0 win over the United States (0-0), while Italy (1-1) is second, ahead of Egypt (1-1) on goal difference.
Egypt closes the first round Sunday against the Americans, while Italy plays Brazil in the tournament's most-anticipated group-phase match.