In a back-and-forth affair in the Round of 32 at FIFA World Cup 2026TM, Belgium defeated Senegal 3-2 in extra time at Seattle Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra and Crystal Palace winger Ismaïla Sarr scored either side of halftime for Senegal, but a pair of goals from Belgium in the final five minutes of the second half from Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku and Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans sent the match into extra time. Tielemans completed his brace in the 125th minute to send the Red Devils to the Round of 16, where they will face the winner of United States vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Senegal registered the first real chance of the match in the 13th minute when Ismail Jakobs played a driven ball toward the back post that Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois palmed away at full stretch, but the rebound fell to Ismaïla Sarr. The Crystal Palace attacker reacted first but his shot struck the post and rolled wide.
Senegal’s persistent pressure paid off in the 25th minute as talismanic winger Sadio Mane curled a beautiful cross that picked out the run of Sarr, whose headed effort beat Courtois but crashed back off the post. Diarra was quickest to react as he swept home the rebound, giving his country a 1-0 lead as Seattle Stadium erupted.
Senegal came flying out of the gates to start the second half, notching two high-quality chances through Sarr and Diarra that rolled agonizingly wide of the post.
The African powerhouse then doubled their advantage in the 51st minute with a moment of magic.
Monaco’s Lamine Camara clipped a perfectly weighted diagonal ball over Belgium’s back line that picked out the run of Sarr. The Crystal Palace attacker settled it off his chest in stride and quickly laced the ball past Courtois for one of the goals of the tournament.
Belgium nearly scored in the 78th minute when Dodi Lukébakio cut the ball onto his left from the edge of the box and struck a curled shot that missed the top corner by mere inches.
Lukaku finally got Belgium on the board in the 86th minute when Thomas Meunier raced behind Senegal's back line and pulled the ball back to the six-yard box, where the Napoli striker lifted a first-time shot over Diaw to make it 2-1.
Belgium completed the comeback three minutes later as Trossard clipped a ball into the box that Youri Tielemans nodded past Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw to make it 2-2 in one of the most dramatic moments of the tournament, sending Seattle Stadium into absolute pandemonium.
Senegal nearly won the match in the 109th minute as Bara Ndiaye played a perfect cutback pass to Ibrahim Mbaye at the penalty spot, but the PSG winger's first-time shot floated agonizingly past the far post.
On the brink of a penalty-kick shootout, Belgium was awarded a penalty in the 120th minute following a lengthy Video Review for a foul that Camara committed on Tielemans inside the box.
Tielemans stepped up and confidently dispatched the penalty, curling the ball into the side netting to secure a spot in the Round of 16.
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Key Takeaways
Scenes at Seattle Stadium
FIFA World Cup 2026TM has been headlined by iconic upsets and late heroics. Wednesday's clash between two continental powerhouses was no different. Senegal looked like they were cruising to a berth in the Round of 16, but Belgium delivered two of the most iconic moments of the tournament, scoring twice after the 85th minute send the match to extra time.
With the match seeming destiend for a penalty-kick shootout, Tielemens stepped up to the spot to complete one of the greatest comebacks in FIFA World Cup history.
Celebration of Soccer
Wednesday afternoon’s Round of 32 clash featured several players that have helped shape the history of some of the biggest clubs on the planet. Sadio Mané was one of Liverpool FC’s best players during the Champions League and Premier League winning seasons, while Kevin De Bruyne starred for a Manchester City side that ushered in a tactical revolution in the sport. One of the elite No. 9's of his generation, Lukaku helped spark the comeback with an elite finish.
Played in front of a sold-out crowd of 66,925 fans in Seattle, the match was a true testimonial to the sport.
Next Up
With their spot in the Round of 16 secured, Belgium will be eagerly watching tonight’s Round of 32 clash between the United States Men’s National Team and Bosnia & Herzegovina to determine who they will face at Seattle Stadium on Monday, July 6.
