Belgium stun Senegal 3-2 after extra time in a last 32 world cup thriller. Diarra and Sarr had Senegal 2-0 up, but Lukaku and Tielemans' late double forced extra time before a controversial 125th minute penalty sealed it. Full match report, analysis, and what it means for Belgium vs USA.
124 minutes and 44 seconds. That's how long it took Belgium to break Senegalese hearts and complete one of the most dramatic comeback in World Cup knockout history.
Trailing 2-0 with four minutes left in normal time, the Red Devils looked finished. Instead, Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans scored twice in 159 seconds to force extra time. Then Tielemans, from the spot in the 125th minute, made it 3-2 and sent Belgium into a last 16 date with the USA in seattle on Tuesday, July 7 at 1:00 AM UK time.
It was chaos, controversy, and clutch finishing all in one match.
HOW SENEGAL DOMINATED FOR 86 MINUTES
For most of the game, Senegal were the better side. Coach Aliou Cisses game plan worked perfectly: press Belgium aging midfield, hit in transition, and stay compact.
25' | Diarra 1-0 Senegal
Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra opened the scoring after Ismaila Sarr's header crashed off the post. Diarra reacted fastest to the rebound and buried it. Senegal deserved the lead.
56'| Sarr 2-0 Senegal
Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr doubled it six minutes after the break. A long ball split Belgium's high line, Sarr chested it down brilliantly, and lashed home first time. At 2-0, Senegal looked in control of the last 32 tie.
Belgium's response? Domenico Tedesco made a bold call in the 56th minute, hauling off Kevin De Bruyne and Jerrmy Doku. It looked like the end of De Bruyne's World Cup career at 35. Belgium had managed zero shots on target until that point.
The 4 minute miracle: Lukaku and Tielemans turn it around
Football can change in a hydration break. Literally.
86'| Lukaku 2-1 Senegal
Halftime substitute Romelu Lukaku finally gave Belgium a shot on target. The Napoli striker steered home from close range for Belgium's first attempt on target all game. 2-1, game on.
89'| Tielemans 2-2 Senegal
Just 2 minutes and 39 seconds later, Tielemans headed in from Leandro Trossard's cross. Two shots on target. Two goal. Senegal were stunned.
The irony? Lukaku and Tielemans had been in a heated exchange during the earlier hydration break. Frustration turned to belief. From 2-0 down in the 86th minute to 2-2 in the 89th, Belgium forced extra time.
CONTROVERSY IN EXTRA TIME: THE 117TH MINUTE PENALTY DECISION
Penalties looked inevitable until the 117th minute. Dodi Lukebakio struck the bar for Belgium, but VAR intervened in the build up. Lamine Camara was adjudged to have fouled Tielemans just outside the box.
What followed was a 7 minute VAR review the longest of the tournament so far. The referee went to the pitchside monitor, watched multiple angles, and eventually pointed to the spot.
125'| Tielemans 3-2 Belgium, PEN
Tielemans stepped up and slammed the penalty home in the 125th minute, making it the latest goal in World Cup history.
WHAT THE PUNDITS SAID
The decision split opinion on ITV.
Gary Neville: "I don't think it's a penalty on the bar that's been set in this tournament. The more VAR looked at it, the more he was re-refereeing the game. In the end they've stumbled upon a decision that is so 50-50."
Roy Keane: "it's very, very harsh. The referee took so long at the screen. You want conviction in the referee's decision, and he was certainly hesitating a long time."
For Senegal, it was a painful echo of 2024. In January's AFCON final, they walked off in protest after a late penalty was given to Morocco and werr stripped of the title. This time, they stayed on, but still want out to a late spot kick.
KEY TALKING POINTS
1. Belgium's Mentality Shift
Written off at 2-0 down, this Belgium side showed a resilience we haven't seen since 2018. Lukaku's impact off the bench and Tielemans composure under pressure were decisive.
2. Senegal's Collapse
Senegal were 4 minutes from the last 16. They defended well, countered well, but couldn't manage the final minutes. Conceding twice in under 3 minutes at knockout level is unforgivable.
3. VAR and the Referee's Dilemma
This is the debate that will run all week. Camara's challenge was minimal, but contact was there. In a tournament where soft penalties have been rare, this one felt against the flow. Yet, by the letter of the law, a foul was given.
4. De Bruyne's Role
Taken off at 2-0 down, it could have been his final World Cup act. Belgium's comeback without him on the pitch will fuel debate about Tedesco's midfield setup going forward.
WHAT NEXT: BELGIUM VS USA
Belgium advance to face the USA in Seattle. Kick off Tuesday, July 7, 1:00 AM UK time.
The USA will take confidence from Senegal's Collapse, but Belgium now have momentum, Lukaku's form, and Tielemans late game nerve. If they start slowly again, the Americans won't let them off.
For Senegal, it's another World Cup exit in cruel fashion. They were the better team for 86 minutes. Football doesn't care.
Did the penalty change the World Cup? And can Belgium's late surge carry them past the USA?
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