Belgium produced a dramatic late recovery to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time and secure a place in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
Senegal appeared on course for a famous victory after Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr gave the African side a two-goal lead, but Belgium struck twice in the closing stages of normal time through Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans.
Tielemans then converted a penalty in the 120th minute to complete the turnaround and send Belgium through.
The match was played at Seattle Stadium in Washington State before a crowd of almost 67,000, with Honduran referee Said Martinez Sorto in charge.
Belgium will return to the same venue on Tuesday, 7 July for their round-of-16 tie against the winner of the United States’ match with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Senegal take command
Senegal began brightly and were rewarded in the 24th minute when Diarra put them ahead.
The Sunderland midfielder reacted quickest after the ball came back off the post inside the penalty area, finishing past Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to give Senegal the lead.
His strike carried historical significance for Senegal. Diarra became the first player to score for the Lions of Teranga in a World Cup knockout match since Henri Camara scored against Sweden in the last 16 of the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan.
Belgium struggled to find a way through Senegal’s defence during the first half, while Senegal continued to threaten whenever they advanced.
The Senegalese side extended their advantage six minutes into the second half. Moussa Diakhaté delivered a long pass which released Sarr behind the Belgian defence.
Sarr went one-on-one with Courtois and produced a composed finish to make it 2-0.
The goal saw Sarr become Senegal’s leading scorer at World Cup finals with five goals. He also became the second African player to score four goals in a single World Cup edition, following Cameroon’s Roger Milla in 1990.
Belgium’s late response
Senegal looked set to celebrate qualification as the match entered its final minutes, but Belgium launched an extraordinary comeback.
Lukaku reduced the deficit in the 86th minute, giving Belgium renewed belief at a crucial stage of the contest.
Three minutes later, Tielemans scored Belgium’s second goal to level the match at 2-2 and force extra time.
The quick double blow transformed the atmosphere at Seattle Stadium, with Senegal suddenly facing the prospect of losing a match they had appeared to control for much of the evening.
Belgium’s recovery was described as unprecedented in World Cup history, with the side becoming the first team to avoid defeat after trailing by two goals until the 85th minute.
Tielemans settles extra-time contest
The game remained finely balanced throughout extra time, as Senegal attempted to regain their composure after the late collapse in normal time.
Belgium eventually found the decisive moment in the final minute of the match.
The referee awarded Belgium a penalty in the 120th minute, and Tielemans stepped forward to convert, sealing a 3-2 victory and ending Senegal’s World Cup campaign.
His second goal of the match completed one of Belgium’s most dramatic World Cup victories and ensured their progress to the next round.
For Senegal, the result will be particularly painful after they had built a commanding two-goal advantage and looked within reach of a place in the last 16.
Belgium, however, now move forward with momentum after a comeback that will be remembered as one of the tournament’s most remarkable matches.
