World Cup 2026: Belgium Stun Senegal With Dramatic Extra-Time Escape

Tielemans spot-kick breaks Senegal hearts as Belgium advance

 A 125th-minute penalty from Youri Tielemans capped Belgium’s Houdini-like comeback against Senegal. Sarr’s fourth goal of the tournament wasn’t enough as Senegal’s European WC drought continued.

Tielemans 125th-minute penalty completes Belgium’s 3-2 extra-time comeback vs Senegal...

A 125th-minute penalty from Youri Tielemans capped Belgium’s remarkable fightback, as they came from two goals down to beat Senegal 3-2 in extra time in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match, stretching their unbeaten streak to 17 matches (W11, D6).

It was the first-ever clash between the sides, and both teams arrived in this knockout tie after strong finishes to the group stage despite shaky beginnings.

Even after Leandro Trossard spurned an early opportunity, Senegal looked like the side bringing their group-stage form into the knockout round. Ismaïla Sarr nearly opened the scoring when his flicked effort struck the post, and he soon became central to the first goal. The Crystal Palace winger headed Sadio Mané’s dangerous cross against the woodwork, and Habib Diarra was there to react quickest to the rebound and put Pape Thiaw’s team deservedly ahead. 

The Lions de la Teranga were full of belief, with Mane exchanging a slick one-two with Diarra before losing his footing on the shot, which Thibaut Courtois gathered comfortably. Belgium looked lethargic by contrast, though they came close to equalizing just before halftime when Maxim De Cuyper’s effort from outside the box drew a sharp one-handed stop from Mory Diaw.

Garcia would have wanted an immediate response from his team after halftime, but they fell further behind six minutes into the second half. Sarr exposed Belgium’s shaky defense, running onto Moussa Niakhate’s long pass without breaking stride before finishing calmly past Courtois.

That was the 28-year-old’s fourth goal of the tournament, putting him level with Roger Milla’s 1990 record for the most goals by an African player at a single World Cup.

Belgium turned to their substitutes for a spark, and Dodi Lukébakio almost delivered when his left-footed effort skimmed just wide of the far post. It was another sub who made the breakthrough though, as Romelu Lukaku got a quick touch at the near post to convert Thomas Meunier’s cross and cut the deficit. 

That sparked a dramatic finale, with Tielemans stunning Senegal by getting ahead of Diaw to meet Trossard’s delivery and level the game in a finish few would have predicted.

Belgium came out strongly in extra time, but Senegal slowly took control again and nearly retook the lead in the first half of ET when Ibrahim Mbaye’s first-time shot from Bara Sapoko Ndiaye’s pass whistled just wide.

Lukebakio nearly snatched it at the very end, striking the bar from close range, but referee Saíd Martínez then pointed to the penalty spot after a VAR check showed Lamine Camara had fouled Tielemans in the area. Tielemans was ice-cold from 12 yards, sending Diaw the wrong way in the fifth minute of extra-time stoppages to seal a 3-2 win and send Belgium through to the last 16 in a comeback worthy of Harry Houdini.

Senegal were left wondering what might have been, with their bid to match the 2002 quarter-final run ending after a fifth straight World Cup loss to a European side. 

Belgium, meanwhile, head back to Seattle in six days to play the winner of the United States vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina last-32 tie, as their veteran core chase one final shot at silverware.