Belgium complete stunning comeback to knock out Senegal after historic World Cup collapse
The Lions of Teranga appeared destined for a place in the last 16 as they held a comfortable 2-0 lead until the 86th minute, only for Belgium to score.
Belgian players celebrating after their late penalty winner. (Photo: FIFA)
Senegal's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign ended heartbreakingly after Belgium produced one of the greatest comebacks in tournament history, recovering from two goals down in the closing minutes before winning 3-2 after extra time in their Round of 32 clash in Seattle.
The Lions of Teranga appeared destined for a place in the last 16 as they held a comfortable 2-0 lead until the 86th minute, only for Belgium to score twice in the space of two minutes before Youri Tielemans converted a dramatic 125th-minute penalty to complete an astonishing turnaround.
The result sees Belgium progress to the Round of 16, where they will face either co-hosts the United States or Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Senegal becomes the latest African nation to bow out after a spirited tournament.
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Senegal made a brighter start and should have been ahead long before they found the breakthrough. After creating several dangerous openings in the opening exchanges, they finally took the lead in the 24th minute.
Sadio Mane floated an inviting cross into the penalty area after a flowing move from the right. Ismaila Sarr met it with a header that struck the post before rebounding kindly for Habib Diarra, who calmly slotted home from close range to hand the African side a deserved lead before the first-half hydration break.
The Lions carried that momentum into the second half and doubled their advantage five minutes after the restart.
Moussa Niakhate launched a superb diagonal pass from inside his own half, picking out Sarr's perfectly timed run. The winger brought the ball under control with his chest before firing an unstoppable right-footed strike beyond Thibaut Courtois to make it 2-0.
With Belgium struggling to create clear opportunities and just minutes remaining, Senegal looked certain to book their place in the next round.
Instead, the match produced an extraordinary twist.
Romelu Lukaku, introduced as a second-half substitute, sparked Belgium's revival in the 86th minute when he reacted quickest to Thomas Meunier's low cross to clinically reduce the deficit.
Before Senegal could recover, Belgium struck again just two minutes later.
Leandro Trossard delivered a dangerous cross into the area, but goalkeeper Mory Diaw completely misjudged his attempted punch, allowing Tielemans to head into an unguarded net and level the scores at 2-2 in the 89th minute.
The dramatic equaliser forced extra time and completely shifted the momentum.
Although Senegal controlled large spells of the additional 30 minutes and searched desperately for a winner, Belgium delivered the decisive blow deep into stoppage time.
After a VAR review, the referee awarded Belgium a penalty after Lamine Camara was adjudged to have fouled Tielemans inside the area moments before Dodi Lukebakio's effort clipped the crossbar.
Tielemans calmly stepped up in the 125th minute and powered his penalty into the top corner, sealing one of the most dramatic victories in FIFA World Cup history.
The winning strike also became the latest goal ever scored in a FIFA World Cup match.
Belgium's remarkable recovery rewrote the history books.
They became the first team ever to avoid defeat in normal time after trailing by two goals as late as the 85th minute of a World Cup match. It was also Belgium's first comeback victory after trailing by two goals at the World Cup since their famous 3-2 Round of 16 triumph over Japan at Russia 2018.
The influence of Lukaku once again proved decisive. Belgium have now averaged 2.5 goals per 90 minutes with the striker on the pitch at this tournament, compared to just 1.2 goals per game without him.
For Senegal, the defeat will rank among the cruellest in their football history.
The Lions became the first team ever to be eliminated from a FIFA World Cup after leading by two goals as late as the 85th minute. They have now lost five consecutive World Cup matches against European opposition and have conceded three goals in each of their last four meetings with European teams at the tournament.
Despite the painful exit, Senegal leaves the tournament with significant achievements.
The West Africans became the first African nation to score 10 goals at a single FIFA World Cup, highlighting their attacking quality throughout the competition.
However, that historic achievement was overshadowed by a devastating collapse that saw a seemingly certain place in the last 16 disappear within two unforgettable minutes before Belgium completed the comeback in the final moments of extra time.