Belgium advanced to the World Cup round of 16 after a late penalty secured a dramatic comeback against Senegal on Wednesday night. The match, held in Lusail, Qatar, saw Belgium overturn a two-goal deficit deep into stoppage time before edging the game 3-2 in extra time.
Senegal took an early lead with goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaïla Sarr, both striking in the first half to give the African side a strong advantage. Sarr’s second goal shortly before halftime gave Senegal a commanding 2-0 lead, putting Belgium on the brink of elimination alongside other former champions Germany and the Netherlands.
Despite trailing for much of the match, Belgium rallied late in the second half. Substitute Romelu Lukaku came off the bench at halftime and injected fresh impetus into the Belgium attack. His goal in the 87th minute began the revival, followed swiftly by a header from Youri Tielemans in the 89th minute to level the score at 2-2. Tielemans’ goal came after a carefully coordinated play, with a cross from Leandro Trossard that split Senegal’s defense, allowing Tielemans to score over goalkeeper Mory Diaw, who was filling in for the injured Édouard Mendy.
The turning point in the match arrived deep into stoppage time when referee Saíd Martínez awarded Belgium a penalty after a VAR review. The video assistant referee, Guillermo Pacheco Larios, identified a foul by Lamine Kamara on Tielemans, who had been fouled moments before Dodi Lukébakio’s shot nearly hit the crossbar. Tielemans successfully converted the penalty in the 122nd minute, completing Belgium’s improbable comeback and sealing a 3-2 victory after extra time.
The match was marked by a number of tactical substitutions from Belgium’s coach, Rudi Garcia. Lukaku’s introduction changed the rhythm of the Belgian attack, while Lukébakio, who replaced Jérémy Doku, also contributed significantly after entering the game from the bench. Kevin De Bruyne was substituted for Nico Raskin, who also played a role in mediating tensions between teammates Tielemans and Trossard during a second-half break.
Senegal, meanwhile, came close to extending their lead late in regulation time but were denied by crucial saves from Belgium’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who prevented several attempts from the likes of Sadio Mané and Diarra.
The result marked a significant turnaround for Belgium, who entered the match with doubts following mixed performances earlier in the tournament. Their 5-1 win over New Zealand had offered a glimpse of attacking potential, but this encounter tested their resilience against a well-organized Senegal side.
With this comeback victory, Belgium moves on to the last 16, while Senegal’s World Cup journey comes to an end. The contest demonstrated the unpredictability and drama of knockout-stage football, with the outcome uncertain until the final moments.