Belgium made one of the greatest escapes of the FIFA World Cup 2026, overturning a two-goal deficit with three late goals – including the most recent goal in World Cup history – to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time and a storm in the Round of 16 on Wednesday.Just moments from elimination, the Red Devils staged an incredible fightback, with substitute Romelu Lukaku blazing home the comeback before Youri Tielemans struck twice, including a dramatic penalty deep in stoppage time to send Belgium into extra time.The victory also marked only the second time in the last 11 FIFA World Cups that a team that was two or more goals down in a knockout match recovered to advance. Surprisingly, Belgium was responsible for another such comeback as well, when they rallied from 2-0 down to beat Japan 3-2 in the 2018 Round of 16.
Tielemans’ historic penalty completed the stunning turnaround
Belgium looked set for a shock exit after Senegal dominated most of the competition.Habib Diarra opened the scoring in the 25th minute before Ismaila Sarr doubled Senegal’s advantage six minutes into the second half with one of the goals of the tournament. Sarr controlled Moussa Niakhate’s long pass with a brilliant first touch before calmly beating veteran goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to make it 2-0.Courtois kept Belgium alive with a string of crucial saves as Senegal threatened to put the contest beyond doubt.Belgium’s revival finally began in the 86th minute when all-time leading scorer Romelu Lukaku, introduced from the bench, pulled one back.Just three minutes later, Youri Tielemans fired home the equalizer in the 89th minute to stun Senegal and force extra time.With a penalty shootout just seconds away, Tielemans was brought down inside the box in the dying moments of added time. After a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot.The Belgian midfielder calmly converted in the fifth minute of stoppage time in extra time, scoring the final goal of FIFA World Cup history and completed one of the greatest knockout comebacks in the competition.
Senegal left heartbroken after VAR drama
Senegal’s players were left devastated after seeing victory slip away in dramatic fashion.Coach Pape Thiaw chose not to criticize the decisive penalty decision.“I don’t want to interpret the decision. We all have different interpretations when it comes to giving a penalty,” said Thiaw. “I prefer not to comment, not to interpret the referee’s decision,” he said.Senegalese players surrounded the referee after the award, with defender Pathe Ciss even lying on top of the penalty spot in protest before finally moving in for the kick.Reflecting on the collapse, Thiaw admitted that Belgium capitalized when it mattered most.“It was a cruel defeat, because we were good in the game. We had the advantage. We were leading 2-0. However, a football match is not an 85-minute one. Belgium came back, and we were not able to deal with that… We have to congratulate Belgium as they progress,” he said.He also explained his team’s reaction to the decisive VAR call.“Well, when the penalty was awarded, we had our own interpretation. We believed there was no penalty. The players tried to challenge the decision. It’s their right. And, the penalty was taken. And, this is the reason we were eliminated,” he added.