By ANDREW DESTINThursday July 2, 2026
Belgium produced the tournament’s most dramatic escape yet on Wednesday, erasing a two-goal deficit and then striking from the penalty spot deep into extra time to edge Senegal 3-2 in a World Cup round-of-32 thriller.
With only five minutes left in regulation, Senegal still led 2-0. Then Belgium’s veteran finish arrived in waves: Romelu Lukaku pulled one back, Youri Tielemans followed, and the match spilled into extra time before Tielemans settled it with a penalty in the 125th minute, the latest goal ever scored in World Cup history.
“Being part of this comeback is a proud moment because I scored the last two goals to give the team the win today. I’m very proud of that to be able to help the team to score goals and bring us over the line,” Tielemans said.
The decisive moment came after Tielemans was fouled with seconds remaining and a shootout appearing inevitable. Following a video review, the referee pointed to the spot despite Senegal’s protests.
“I do not want to interpret the decision. We all have different interpretations when it comes to awarding a penalty,” Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said. “I’d rather not comment, not interpreting the referee’s decision.”
Belgium’s rally marked only the second time in the last 11 World Cups that a team down by at least two goals in a knockout-round game has gone on to advance. The Belgians also accomplished the feat in the round of 16 in 2018, when they beat Japan 3-2.
“Senegal deserved to win,” Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said. “But, I am happy it was us.”
Several of the familiar faces from Belgium’s third-place team in Russia in 2018 helped turn the match around. Lukaku, Belgium’s all-time leading scorer, came off the bench and delivered the crucial 86th-minute goal that revived his side and set up Tielemans’ equalizer.
“It is a cruel loss, as we were good in the game,” Thiaw said. “We had the advantage. We were leading 2-0. However a football match is not an 85-minute one. Belgium came back, and we were not able to deal with that … We must congratulate Belgium as they progress.”
Belgium is through to the round of 16 for the third time in four World Cups. The team reached the quarterfinals in 2014 and the semifinals in 2018, then failed to escape the group stage four years ago in Qatar.
The Belgians will next face the United States on Monday in Seattle.
For much of the night, Senegal looked firmly in control. Habib Diarra scored in the first half, and Ismaïla Sarr doubled the advantage at the start of the second period. It was Sarr’s fourth goal of the World Cup and one of the competition’s standout finishes: he cushioned a long ball from Moussa Niakhaté on his chest with a perfect first touch, then buried the shot past Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Courtois, who was appearing in his fourth World Cup, later came up with three vital saves to prevent Senegal from pulling away.
Senegal defender Krépin Diatta said Belgium should never have been allowed back into the contest.
“It shouldn’t have happened. You have to defend your box and you have to be the boss of your box,” he said. “We suffered, but we have to go on. It’s a pity.”
Lukaku said Belgium’s late charge reflected the team’s resilience.
“This Senegal side is one of the best teams in the tournament,” he said. “Technically, physically and tactically, it was really tough. But when we stepped up the intensity of our pressing, when we were there for the second ball, our team spirit shone through and we won the match.”
Senegal arrived at the World Cup ranked second in Africa, behind Morocco. It had won a chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final on Jan. 18 against Morocco, though the result was later overturned by African soccer’s governing body after Thiaw briefly pulled his players off the field.
Senegal reached the knockout stage as one of the best third-place teams after losing to France and Norway and beating Iraq.
“It’s the best African nation. It’s as simple as that,” Garcia said. “They showed that even against France, they dominated in the first half. They came out of a difficult group. I would have preferred not to play against them.”
