Belgium staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Senegal in the World Cup round of 32 on Wednesday in Seattle, underscoring the tournament’s pattern of late drama. Trailing 2-0 as the match approached its final minutes, Belgium’s substitute Romelu Lukaku and captain Youri Tielemans leveled the score to force extra time. Tielemans then secured victory with a penalty deep into stoppage time at the end of extra time, sending Senegal home.
Leandro Trossard, who played a key role in the comeback and had a tense exchange with Tielemans during the match, described the turnaround as “a miracle.” He noted that while few expected Belgium to recover so late, the team’s unity ensured the win. “We believed right until the very end,” Trossard said.
The Belgium-Senegal match was part of a series of tightly contested knockout games across North America, where late goals have become a recurring theme. Canada edged South Africa 1-0 thanks to Stephen Eustáquio’s injury-time strike. Brazil’s substitute Gabriel Martinelli also scored a stoppage-time winner against Japan. Paraguay ousted four-time champions Germany after a penalty shootout, and Morocco advanced past the Netherlands by winning on penalties following a last-minute equalizer.
Top players continued to influence outcomes late in matches. Erling Haaland scored in the 86th minute to give Norway a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast, while England’s Harry Kane scored twice late to overturn a deficit against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, finishing 2-1. Kane called the victory “a magical, magical feeling” and one of his personal favorites in an England shirt.
Co-host United States secured their progression with a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Malik Tillman’s goal in the 82nd minute providing a cushion. The US played a man up after opening goalscorer Folarin Balogun received a red card following a video review for serious foul play. US coach Mauricio Pochettino praised his team’s resilience after the sending off, saying the players were ready to fight and create a legacy.
Several factors contribute to the frequency of late goals in this World Cup, including the heat in North America, which can exhaust defenses, particularly teams that have been under pressure for extended periods. The presence of top-quality forwards such as Haaland, Lukaku, and Kane amplifies the likelihood of late decisive moments in knockout matches.
Despite limited playing time earlier in the season due to injury, Lukaku has made a significant impact coming off the bench at the World Cup. Reflecting on Belgium’s comeback, he emphasized the importance of perseverance and team spirit in overcoming difficult situations. “You can never stop believing,” Lukaku said. “Our team spirit helped us turn the game around.”