The 2026 World Cup Round of 32 produced one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament. Belgium, trailing by two goals and on the brink of elimination with just four minutes remaining, launched a stunning comeback. Substitute Romelu Lukaku ignited the fightback, captain Youri Tielemans equalized in stoppage time, and a highly controversial penalty was converted in the 125th minute of added time in extra time, sealing a 3-2 comeback victory over Senegal. Belgium advanced to the Round of 16, where they will face the winner between the US and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Facing a Belgium side that had performed steadily throughout the tournament, Senegal started the match with high intensity. In the 25th minute, Sadio Mané delivered a cross, Ismaïla Sarr's header hit the post, and Habib Diarra was there to slot home the rebound, giving Senegal the lead. Just six minutes into the second half, Moussa Niakhaté's long ball split the Belgian defense, Sarr controlled it with his chest and fired a powerful shot into the net, extending Senegal's lead to 2-0.
Despite having attacking talents like Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku, and Charles De Ketelaere, Belgium struggled to find their rhythm against Senegal's intense pressing. Manager Rudi Garcia made several substitutions in the second half, bringing on Lukaku, Thomas Meunier, and Dodi Lukébakio – a move that would prove to be the turning point of the match.
With everyone expecting Senegal to make history and reach the Round of 16 for the first time, Belgium showed remarkable resilience in the dying moments. In the 86th minute, Lukaku met Meunier's cross with a clever near-post header to pull one back. Just three minutes later, Leandro Trossard delivered a cross from the left, Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw misjudged the ball, and Tielemans rose above the defender to head in the equalizer, making it 2-2 and forcing extra time.
Both sides had chances in extra time, and with penalties looming, Lukébakio's shot in the 124th minute struck the crossbar. VAR then stepped in. After a lengthy seven-minute review, the referee ruled that Lamine Camara had fouled Tielemans before the attack, awarding Belgium a penalty. Under immense pressure and with Senegal players attempting mind games, Tielemans kept his composure and slotted the ball home. At 124 minutes and 44 seconds, it was the latest goal ever scored in World Cup history, completing an incredible comeback for Belgium.
For Belgium, this victory keeps alive the hopes of their "Golden Generation" in what is likely their last shot at World Cup glory. Lukaku, now 33 and plagued by injuries this season – even facing doubts about his fitness – changed the match immediately after coming off the bench, proving once again that he remains Belgium's most reliable big-game player. Tielemans, with two goals including a historic match-winning penalty, was named man of the match.
As for Senegal, they had controlled the game for the vast majority of the match. Sarr, Diarra, and Mané all delivered outstanding performances, and goalkeeper Diaw made several crucial saves. They were just minutes away from making history. However, conceding twice in the final moments, followed by the heartbreaking VAR penalty decision, means they exit the tournament in controversial fashion once again – reminiscent of the Africa Cup of Nations final controversy.
Having advanced, Belgium will stay in Seattle for their Round of 16 clash, where they will face either the US or Bosnia and Herzegovina. After staging a comeback that will be remembered in World Cup history, the question now is whether the buoyed "Red Devils" can ride this momentum and go even further in the knockout stages.
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