Belgium produced one of the crucial dramatic comebacks of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they got here from two objectives right down to defeat Senegal 3-2 after additional time of their last-32 conflict.
Youri Tielemans scored a late penalty in additional time to seal a exceptional victory for Belgium and ship them into the final 16, the place they are going to face both america or Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Senegal seemed to be cruising into the subsequent spherical after taking a deserved 2-0 lead and holding that benefit till the closing phases of regular time.
The African aspect had threatened early within the sport when Ismaila Sarr struck the publish within the thirteenth minute. Sarr hit the woodwork once more from a Sadio Mane cross 12 minutes later, however Habib Diarra reacted quickest to attain from shut vary and provides Senegal the lead.
Senegal doubled their benefit six minutes into the second half with a superb aim. Moussa Niakhate’s lengthy move caught the Belgian defence off guard, permitting Sarr to regulate the ball along with his chest earlier than firing a strong shot previous goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
With solely 4 minutes remaining, Belgium lastly discovered a manner again into the sport. Veteran striker Romelu Lukaku, who got here on in its place at half-time, cleverly flicked Thomas Meunier’s cross into the online to scale back the deficit.
The equaliser got here in dramatic trend within the 89th minute. Leandro Trossard delivered a harmful cross into the field, which goalkeeper Mory Diaw didn’t cope with, permitting Belgium captain Tielemans to move residence and power additional time.
The comeback was much more exceptional contemplating that Tielemans and Trossard had been concerned in a heated argument earlier within the second half earlier than Lukaku stepped in to calm the scenario.
After surviving Senegal’s early dominance, Belgium accomplished the turnaround within the remaining moments of additional time. Following a prolonged seven-minute VAR overview, the referee awarded Belgium a penalty after Lamine Camara’s problem on Tielemans.
Tielemans stored his composure and calmly fired the penalty into the highest nook within the one hundred and twenty fifth minute to seal a sensational victory.
Lukaku’s impression proved decisive because the 33-year-old impressed Belgium’s dramatic fightback and stored alive the hopes of the nation’s remaining members of their well-known golden era.
For Senegal, it was one other heartbreaking finish to a serious event. After main by two objectives with solely minutes left, they had been left surprised as their dream of reaching the World Cup final 16 slipped away in dramatic trend.
Belgium will now stay in Seattle as they put together for his or her last-16 encounter, whereas Senegal’s 2026 FIFA World Cup journey involves a painful finish.
