Belgium's comeback denies Senegal a historic qualification

Senegal's national team bid farewell to the 2026 World Cup in dramatic fashion, after squandering a two-goal lead until the last five minutes, before the Belgian team managed to turn their deficit into a 2-2 draw, and then win 3-2 in extra time, to secure their place in the round of 16.

The "Lions of Teranga" dominated most of the match, and Habib Diarra opened the scoring for Senegal in the 25th minute, after following up on a ball that rebounded off the post following a header from Ismaila Sarr.

Sarr reinforced the result in the 51st minute with a superb goal, after controlling a long pass with his chest, before unleashing a powerful shot that nestled in the net of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, further cementing the Senegalese team's superiority.

Just as the Senegalese were preparing to celebrate a historic qualification, the Belgian team suddenly woke up thanks to their coach's substitutions, scoring two consecutive goals through substitute Romelu Lukaku and captain Youri Tielemans, in the 86th and 89th minutes respectively, forcing a draw amidst the astonishment of the Senegalese players and their fans.

Late in extra time, the referee awarded a controversial penalty kick after consulting VAR, amid Senegalese protests, before Tielemans stepped up to take it and scored the winning goal and qualification for the round of 16 in the 125th minute, amid great joy for the Belgians inside and outside the stadium.

Belgium became the ninth team to qualify for the round of 16, after Canada, Brazil, Paraguay, Morocco, Norway, France, Mexico and England.

In contrast, Senegal became the fourth African team to leave the round of 32, after South Africa, Ivory Coast and Congo, who were eliminated by Canada, Norway and England respectively.

The Belgian team will face the United States in the round of 16, after the latter defeated Bosnia.