In a gripping World Cup round of 32 match held in Seattle on July 1, Belgium overturned a 2-0 deficit to defeat Senegal 3-2 after extra time, advancing to the last 16. Senegal had appeared poised to secure victory with a 2-0 lead in the 85th minute, but Belgium scored twice in the final minutes of regulation through Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans to force extra time.

The decisive moment came in the 125th minute when Tielemans converted a penalty awarded after a lengthy VAR review of a sliding challenge by Senegal’s Lamine Camara. Several Senegal players were visibly upset by the penalty decision. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw described football as a "cruel game" following the late collapse.

Senegal had earlier been controversially stripped of their Africa Cup of Nations title after protesting a penalty decision in the final against Morocco but had returned to win 1-0 after the spot kick was missed. Defender Krepin Diatta noted that Senegal lost focus when Belgium showed a late spark.

Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr had given Senegal a deserved 2-0 lead, and the team controlled much of the match, hitting the woodwork twice. Despite their efforts, they became the fourth African side to bow out narrowly in the last 32.

Belgium will face the winner of the United States-Bosnia match in the next round in Seattle on Monday.

Sources