Youri Tielemans #8 of Belgium celebrates after scoring his team's third goal.
Belgium beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time to reach World Cup last 16
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
Belgium staged a stunning comeback from two goals down to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time, booking a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 in one of the tournament's most dramatic matches so far.
The match at Seattle Stadium featured several momentum swings, with Senegal controlling much of the contest before Belgium mounted a remarkable late comeback and sealed qualification with a decisive penalty deep into second-half stoppage time of extra time.
Senegal started the match confidently and took the lead in the 25th minute through Habib Diarra, who capitalized on the Teranga Lions' first-half dominance to give his side a deserved 1-0 advantage at the break.
The African side continued to dictate play after halftime and doubled its lead in the 51st minute when Ismaïla Sarr finished a through ball from Moussa Niakhaté, leaving Belgium facing elimination while Senegal edged closer to the round of 16.
Senegal continued to threaten the goal of Thibaut Courtois, while Belgium struggled to break down the well-organized defense or convert the chances it created.
Belgium made several attacking substitutions, most notably introducing Romelu Lukaku at the start of the second half, before launching its dramatic fightback in the closing minutes.
Lukaku pulled one back in the 86th minute after meeting a pinpoint cross from Thomas Meunier, giving the Red Devils renewed hope.
Just three minutes later, Youri Tielemans headed home from a Leandro Trossard cross to level the score in the 89th minute, sending the match into extra time.
Extra time produced chances at both ends, with Senegal coming close on several occasions to scoring the winner, while Belgium pushed relentlessly in search of a decisive goal.
In the 120th minute, the referee awarded Belgium a penalty after a VAR review, prompting protests from the Senegalese players.
Tielemans stepped up and converted the spot kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time of extra time to complete Belgium's dramatic 3-2 victory and send his side into the round of 16.
Senegal exited the tournament despite producing an impressive performance and looking the stronger side for long stretches of the match.
The Teranga Lions held a two-goal lead until the 86th minute before seeing their qualification hopes collapse in heartbreaking fashion.
Belgium, meanwhile, demonstrated its experience and resilience in knockout football, overturning a difficult deficit before snatching victory in the dying moments to continue its 2026 World Cup campaign with a place in the round of 16.
