Belgium produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of the FIFA World Cup by overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Senegal 3-2 after extra time in their Round of 32 clash in Seattle on Wednesday, keeping their title hopes alive.
Youri Tielemans scored the winning goal from the penalty spot in the 125th minute after a video assistant referee (VAR) review ruled that Senegal’s Lamine Camara had fouled him inside the penalty area. Tielemans calmly sent the ball into the top corner to complete a remarkable turnaround for the European side.
Belgium looked destined for elimination after Senegal dominated much of the match and built a deserved 2-0 advantage through Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr. However, two late goals in the closing minutes of normal time forced extra time and shifted the momentum in Belgium’s favour.
The victory sends Belgium into the Round of 16, where they will face the winner of the match between co-hosts the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on Monday.
Senegal started brightly and nearly opened the scoring early in the match. Ismail Jakobs delivered a dangerous cross that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois could only parry, but Sarr’s follow-up effort struck the post.
The African side eventually broke through in the 25th minute. Sadio Mane’s cross found Sarr, whose header again hit the woodwork before the rebound fell kindly to Diarra, who calmly finished from close range.
Belgium struggled to create clear opportunities before halftime, although Maxim De Cuyper forced an excellent save from Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw with a powerful effort destined for the top corner.
Belgian coach responded by introducing Romelu Lukaku at the start of the second half, replacing Charles De Ketelaere. The change initially had little effect as Senegal doubled their lead six minutes after the restart.
Moussa Niakhate delivered a long pass that Sarr expertly controlled before holding off two defenders and firing a powerful shot into the net to make it 2-0.
Belgium appeared out of ideas until the closing stages. Lukaku sparked the comeback by converting Thomas Meunier’s low cross at the near post. Moments later, Leandro Trossard delivered a cross into the penalty area that Tielemans headed home to level the score with only minutes remaining.
The equaliser came despite an earlier heated exchange between Lukaku and Tielemans during the match, with the pair celebrating together after restoring parity.
Extra time produced few clear chances until stoppage time, when Camara brought down Tielemans inside the penalty area. Following a VAR review, the referee awarded the penalty, allowing Tielemans to complete Belgium’s dramatic recovery.
The defeat was a heartbreaking end for Senegal, who controlled large portions of the contest and struck the woodwork twice before seeing their World Cup campaign end. The result also meant all four African teams that reached the Round of 32 exited the tournament after narrow defeats.
