Belgium vs Senegal Highlights: Senegal, on track to win their round of 32 match for over 80 minutes, gave up a two-goal lead and went on to lose to an ageing Belgium side, being kicked out of the World Cup.
Senegal took on Belgium in the round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Senegal, which won the 2025/26 AFCON only to be stripped of the title months later, finished third in Group O behind France and Norway. Belgium, on the other hand, past the days of its golden generation, topped Group G with just five points, ahead of Egypt and Iran.
Belgium vs Senegal Highlights: Belgium Scores Thrice In Comeback Win Vs Senegal
The knockout match was played at the Seattle Stadium and saw both teams look cautious at the start. Senegal did look better on the ball. This was proven by their creating better chances in the first 20 minutes of the game.
In the 13th minute, striker Ismaïla Sarr nearly capitalised on a Belgian mistake, but could not convert. Then in the 17th minute, veteran midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye took a half-volley, only to be saved by Thibaut Courtois.
The first goal of the game came at the start of the 25th minute. Sadio Mane curled a beautiful ball into the Belgian box. Sarr headed the ball but found the post. The ball fell to the feet of wide midfielder Habib Diarra, who scored. 1-0 Senegal.
Jeremy Doku for Belgium looked like the best player for his team in the first half, beating defenders with speed and looking to create chances, to no avail. And just like that, half-time arrived with the African side in the lead.
The second half started just like the first one did, with Senegal in the driving seat. They created a chance or two in the first five minutes. Then, in the 51st minute, a brilliant forward pass from centre-back Moussa Niakhaté found Sarr, who broke the offside trap, went past the Belgian defence, and scored a fantastic goal into the bottom right corner, 2-0 Senegal.
By this point, not only did the Senegalese look like a league above their European counterparts, but Belgium looked hapless and exhausted, ready to give up. And by the 80th minute, with both teams looking quite exhausted, the game was all but over.
Let’s go back a few minutes. At half-time, Romelu Lukaku was brought in to inject some life into Belgium’s attack. And while he did not impress much for much of his time on the field, he, along with a few more substitutions in the second half, was about to turn the tide of this game.
In the 85th minute, the ball was in the Senegal box but was to be cleared. Midfielder
Diego Moreira stopped the clearance as the ball flew to Thomas Meunier on the right side of the box. The veteran full-back passed it to Romelu Lukaku on the near post, who slotted it past goalkeeper Mory Diaw, who had so far been solid in this game. The score was now 2-1 with about four minutes of regulation time to go.
In the 89th minute, Belgium is back on the attack. Winger Leandro Trossard floats the ball into the Senegalese box. Youri Tielemans goes to head the ball. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Diaw makes an error while trying to punch the ball out as he misses the ball. Tielemans hits the ball past everyone and into the net. And just like that, the game was back to square one.
From winning it all for 85 minutes for Senegal, the match was now going to extra time, with Belgium having the momentum. In the extended 30-minute period, both sides looked to settle for a penalty shootout. The game was to be decided by penalties, but not as anyone expected.
In the 119th minute, the ball was passed into the Senegal box from far wide. Midfielder Lamine Camara slid to clear the ball from the foot of Youri Tielemans. The pass went through both, but a sliding Camara made contact with a running Youri on the edge of the box.
No penalty was awarded, but the referee then sought VAR support. The challenge might have been construed as a fine for regular play. Even the position of the supposed foul looked just outside the box. But in a controversial move, the referee awarded the penalty to Belgium.
Youri Tielemans, Belgium’s hero from earlier in this game, stepped up to convert from 12 yards and slotted it into the top right corner.
The Red Devils had snatched the win out of the jaws of defeat, winning the tie 3-2 and knocking out a strong team like Senegal. They will now face the winner of the USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina match in the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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