FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 – ROUND OF 32
BELGIUM………………..3 (AET)
SENEGAL…..…….………2
Belgium came from two goals down to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time and book their place in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup.
Senegal started the match brightly and took the lead after 24 minutes. Ismaïla Sarr’s header came back off the post, and Habib Diarra was in the right place to score the rebound.
The African side continued to look dangerous and almost doubled their lead before half-time, while Belgium struggled to create clear chances. Their best opportunity came just before the break, but Mory Diaw made an excellent save to deny Maxim De Cuyper.
Senegal made it 2-0 six minutes into the second half. Moussa Niakhaté’s long pass found Sarr, who controlled the ball well before finishing calmly past Thibaut Courtois. It was Sarr’s fourth goal of the tournament, equalling the record for the most goals scored by an African player at a single World Cup.
Belgium responded by making changes from the bench. Romelu Lukaku gave his side hope when he finished Thomas Meunier’s cross at the near post with just minutes remaining. Soon after, Youri Tielemans completed the comeback by heading in Leandro Trossard’s cross to make it 2-2 and send the match into extra time.
Both teams had chances in extra time. Senegal came close through Ibrahim Mbaye, while Belgium almost won it when Dodi Lukébakio hit the crossbar.
With the match heading towards penalties, Belgium were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time after a VAR review ruled that Lamine Camara had fouled Tielemans inside the box. Tielemans calmly converted the spot-kick in the 125th minute to complete a remarkable comeback.
The win sends Belgium into the last 16, where they will face the United States. Senegal are eliminated after a brave performance in one of the most exciting matches of the tournament.
