FIFA World Cup 2026: Belgium stuns Senegal in 3-2 extra-time thriller after 2-goal comeback
Seattle, July 2
Belgium produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of the FIFA World Cup 2026, recovering from a two-goal deficit to defeat Senegal 3-2 after extra time in a thrilling Round of 32 clash. A nerveless 125th-minute penalty from Youri Tielemans sealed the victory for the Red Devils, sending them into the last 16 after an extraordinary contest.
The match marked the first-ever meeting between the two nations, with Senegal carrying the greater early threat. After an initial test by Belgium's Leandro Trossard, the Lions of Teranga took control.
Ismaila Sarr struck the post before Sadio Mane delivered an inviting cross. Sarr's subsequent header hit the upright again, allowing Habib Diarra to react quickest and convert the rebound.
Six minutes after the restart, Sarr latched onto a long ball, shrugged off the Belgian defence, and calmly slotted past Thibaut Courtois to make it 2-0.
Sarr's strike was his fourth of the tournament, equalling the record for the most goals scored by an African player at a single World Cup, matching Roger Milla's iconic tally from 1990.
Faced with a shock exit, Belgium responded through their experienced substitutes. Romelu Lukaku first pulled one back with a sharp near-post finish from Thomas Meunier's cross. Shortly after, Tielemans powered home Trossard's delivery to erase Senegal's lead and force extra time.
Both sides created opportunities in the additional period, with Senegal going close through Ibrahim Mbaye and Belgium seeing Dodi Lukebakio hit the crossbar.
Belgium responded through their experienced substitutes. Romelu Lukaku pulled one back with a sharp near-post finish from Thomas Meunier's cross before Tielemans powered home Trossard's delivery to erase Senegal's lead and force extra time.
Both sides created opportunities in the additional period, with Senegal going close through Ibrahim Mbaye and Belgium seeing Dodi Lukebakio hit the crossbar.
Just as penalties appeared inevitable, VAR intervened after Lamine Camara fouled Tielemans inside the area. The Belgian midfielder kept his composure from the spot in the 125th minute, completing an astonishing turnaround and extending Belgium's unbeaten run to 17 matches.
The dramatic victory extends Belgium's unbeaten run to 17 matches and officially punches their ticket to the Round of 16, where they will face the winners of the United States versus Bosnia and Herzegovina clash. Meanwhile, a heartbroken Senegal bows out after letting a commanding advantage slip away.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Heartbreaking for Senegal. They played so well for 70 minutes, especially Sarr—he was unstoppable. The equaliser in the 90th minute felt like a knife to the heart. We Indians know how that feels, having seen similar collapses in our own cricket team during pressure games. African football has come a long way though, and this Lions squad can hold their heads high. 🦁💔
This is why the World Cup is the greatest show on Earth. Tielemans showing nerves of steel to score that penalty in the 125th minute is the stuff of legends. Senegal's record hopes—Sarr equalling Roger Milla's mark—will be a footnote now, but that's football. Belgium's depth is incredible, imagine having Lukaku and Tielemans on your bench! USA vs Belgium in the next round will be something else.
Called it! After Senegal's second goal, I told my friends they need to stay compact and close the game down. It's a lesson we Indians learn from our own cricketing chases—defending a lead requires discipline. Senegal lost their shape and allowed Belgium's experienced heads to take control. I feel for them but this is a harsh learning moment for African football. Well played, Red Devils, but you were lucky today!
As a neutral, this was absolute cinema. From 2-0 down to 3-2 in extra time—you can't script this. The VAR penalty was soft but those are the margins at this level. Senegal's fans must be in bits right now. Hopefully this is a wake-up call for African teams to learn game management. Belgium's golden generation might have one more run left in them. Can't wait for the next round! 🍿
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