A Youri Tielemans penalty deep into the added minutes of extra time completed an incredible comeback to power Belgium into the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026, when they had appeared destined for the exit at 2-0 down against Senegal and with time running out.
The African champions came out of the blocks quickly, finding luck down the wings through Sadio Mane and Iliman Ndiaye.
That pressure almost turned into the game’s opening goal when Thibaut Courtois pushed a deflected cross from Ismail Jakobs into the path of Ismaila Sarr.
Falling, the Crystal Palace forward pushed the ball onto the post before swinging his leg and sending the rebound wide.
The Lions of Teranga finally converted their pressure into a lead minutes later through Habib Diarra, after Sarr once again hit the woodwork.
Mane served a beautiful inswinging cross and Sarr outjumped the Belgium centre-backs, before Diarra was the quickest to the rebound.
Senegal added a second after the break with Sarr finally getting his goal.
Centre-back Moussa Niakhate fired a precise long ball which Sarr was able to bring down with his chest as he broke past the Belgium centre-backs, before firing past Courtois.
Belgium appeared to be down and out, but in the dying minutes, substitutes Thomas Meunier and Romelu Lukaku combined to give the Red Devils a lifeline, and then Tielemans headed home an inswinging cross from Leandro Trossard to draw the European side level and spark scenes of jubilation as extra time beckoned.
With the game looking destined to be decided by penalty kicks, there was still time for more drama as Tielemans was brought down in the box and stepped up to fire home the penalty following a VAR review to send Senegal home in cruel fashion.
The Red Devils will remain in Seattle to play their Round of 16 match on July 6 against hosts USA.
