Senegal were 2-0 up with four minutes of normal time left, cruising into the last 16 of the World Cup. Then Belgium scored twice to force extra time, and a controversial penalty 125 minutes in sent Senegal crashing out. Football, as former England striker Dion Dublin put it on BBC Radio 5 Live, "is just crazy."
The 2026 World Cup introduced a new round-of-32 format, pitting group winners against runners-up from other groups in a single-elimination knockout phase. Belgium, who topped Group G, faced Senegal, second in Group H, in Seattle. Senegal took a commanding lead through Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr, seemingly set to reach the last 16. But Romelu Lukaku's 86th-minute flick pulled one back, and three minutes later captain Youri Tielemans headed in an equaliser from Leandro Trossard's cross—the pair had been seen arguing earlier. Extra time looked set for penalties until, in the 125th minute, referee Said Martinez awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review for Lamine Camara's challenge on Tielemans. Senegal players surrounded the pitchside monitor in fury, delaying the kick. Tielemans stepped up and scored at 124 minutes 44 seconds—the latest goal in World Cup history—to seal a 3-2 win.
“How Belgium's dramatic extra-time win over Senegal ended World Cup dreams.”
This match epitomises the high-stakes drama of knockout football. Belgium's comeback was unprecedented: no team had ever trailed by two goals that late in regulation time and avoided defeat at a World Cup. Senegal, meanwhile, suffered a second major tournament heartbreak in a year, having been stripped of their Africa Cup of Nations title earlier in 2026. The VAR controversy added to the sense of injustice, with Senegal's players clearly unhappy at the decision.
For UK readers, this match highlights the unpredictable nature of the World Cup knockout stages, which England will also navigate. England advanced to the last 16 after a 2-1 win over DR Congo, with Harry Kane scoring twice. Belgium's victory sets up a last-16 tie against the winner of United States vs Bosnia & Herzegovina. The drama in Seattle also renews debate about VAR's role in decisive moments, a topic familiar to Premier League fans. Senegal's exit shows how quickly a game can turn, and how fine the margins are between glory and elimination.
Q: Why did Senegal's players protest the penalty decision? The referee initially did not award a penalty, but after a VAR review, he changed his mind, ruling that Lamine Camara fouled Youri Tielemans. Senegal players surrounded the pitchside monitor, arguing the contact was minimal, leading to a lengthy delay before the kick was taken.
Q: What is the round of 32 in the World Cup? For the 2026 tournament, the World Cup expanded to 48 teams, creating a new knockout round after the group stage. The top two from each of the 16 groups qualify, then face a team from another group in a single-elimination match to reach the last 16.
Q: How did Belgium manage to come back from 2-0 down? Belgium had been outplayed for 70 minutes, but substitute Romelu Lukaku, who played only 69 minutes of club football last season, scored in the 86th minute to spark hope. Then Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw failed to deal with a cross, allowing Tielemans to head in an equaliser three minutes later. In extra time, a VAR-awarded penalty gave Tielemans his second goal.
What happens next: Belgium face the winners of United States vs Bosnia & Herzegovina in the last 16. Senegal's World Cup journey is over. The last-16 fixtures will be confirmed as the round of 32 concludes, with potential quarter-final opponents including Spain, Austria, Portugal or Croatia for Belgium.