- Belgium vs Senegal: Belgium staged a stunning comeback to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time and seal a place in the Round of 16.
- With just 10 minutes remaining in regulation, Senegal were comfortably leading 2-0 before Belgium produced a remarkable two-minute comeback at Seattle Stadium.
- Belgium advance to the Round of 16, where they will face either co-hosts USA or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Senegal’s 2026 FIFA World Cup dream came to a crushing halt in Seattle as Belgium orchestrated a stunning 3-2 comeback to punch their ticket to the round of 16.
In the 85th minute, the Lions of Teranga were comfortably leading 2-0 at Seattle Stadium thanks to goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr from both halves. However, in a stunning collapse, Belgium mounted a dramatic two-minute comeback.
Romelu Lukaku first reduced the deficit in the 86th minute before Youri Tielemans leveled the score to force extra time.
Tielemans then struck again in the dying moments of the 120th minute from the penalty spot, sending Belgium through to the Round of 16, where they will face either the co-hosts USA or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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Senegal started brightly and looked dangerous in the opening minutes, creating several clear-cut chances but failing to capitalize during the opening 20 minutes.
However, after piling pressure on Belgium’s final third, they finally found the breakthrough in the 24th minute through Diarra.
A move from the right wing to the left saw Sadio Mane curl a superb cross into the box, where Sarr headed the ball low.
It struck the woodwork before rebounding kindly to Diarra, who was perfectly positioned at the edge of the six-yard box to calmly slot it home before the hydration break and hand Senegal the lead.
The second half saw the Lions of Teranga dictate possession and control the tempo as they looked to preserve and extend their narrow advantage.
Their efforts paid off in the 50th minute when Sarr, who had already contributed to the opening goal, finally got on the scoresheet.
Moussa Niakhate launched a long diagonal ball forward from inside his own half, and Sarr timed his run brilliantly. He controlled the ball on his chest before unleashing a thunderous right-footed strike past Thibaut Courtois to double Senegal’s advantage.
Senegal appeared to have one foot in the Round of 16, but that dream was shattered within two minutes late in the match as the Rudi Garcia men struck twice to level the contest.
The first goal came after Moreira challenged Pape Sarr just outside the Senegal penalty area, with the loose ball falling to Thomas Meunier on the right.
He delivered a low cross to the near post, where Lukaku darted ahead of his marker and clinically finished with his right foot.
Just two minutes later, Belgium intensified the pressure in search of an equalizer, and it arrived through Tielemans.
Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard whipped in a teasing cross from the right, prompting goalkeeper Mory Diaw to rush off his line.
Diaw attempted to punch the ball clear but completely missed it, allowing Tielemans to head into an empty net and send the match into extra time.
The extra 30 minutes were largely controlled by Senegal as they pushed relentlessly in search of a winning goal.
However, everything changed in the closing moments of extra time when Lamine Camara was adjudged to have fouled Tielemans inside the penalty area.
The resulting spot-kick was calmly converted by Tielemans, sealing Belgium’s dramatic comeback and bringing Senegal’s World Cup journey to a heartbreaking conclusion.
Belgium vs Senegal – 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 Lineups
- Belgium starting lineup: Thibaut Courtois, Timothy Castagne, Brandon Mechele, Arthur Theate, Maxim De Cuyper, Youri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken, Leandro Trossard, Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku, Charles De Ketelaere (4-2-3-1).
- Senegal starting lineup: Mory Diaw, Krépin Diatta, Pathé Ciss, Moussa Niakhaté, Ismail Jakobs, Idrissa Gueye, Pape Gueye, Habib Diarra, Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaïla Sarr, Sadio Mané (4-3-3).