Belgium come from behind to beat Senegal 3-2 in extra time with a Tielemans brace to reach the last 16
Senegal led 2-0 (Diarra and Sarr), but Lukaku and Tielemans forced extra time and a Tielemans penalty in the 120+5' sent Belgium into the 2026 World Cup last 16 in Seattle.
Belgium produced an epic comeback to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time and reach the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup at Lumen Field in Seattle, home of the NFL's Seahawks and MLS side Seattle Sounders, holding 66,925 spectators and one of the most deafening atmospheres in American sport, in a knockout round-of-32 tie at this 48-team World Cup staged by the United States, Mexico and Canada. The Red Devils, who trailed by two goals, roared back late to eventually advance in the 120th minute.
The game could not have started worse for the favourites. In the 25th minute, Habib Diarra put Senegal ahead, and in the 51st Ismaïla Sarr doubled the lead from a Moussa Niakhaté pass for a 0-2 that had the Lions of Teranga — set up by Pape Thiaw in a 4-3-3 with Mory Diaw in goal — dreaming. Belgium, lined up by Rudi García in a 4-2-3-1 with Thibaut Courtois in goal, kept running into a wall and built up frustration, reflected in a booking for Brandon Mechele (64'); Lamine Camara (67') was cautioned for Senegal.
Just as the African side sensed an upset, Belgium's cutting edge appeared. In the 86th minute, Romelu Lukaku pulled one back from a Thomas Meunier pass, and in the 89th Youri Tielemans levelled at 2-2, assisted by Leandro Trossard, to force extra time in a thrilling finale. The midfielder's goal, in stoppage time of normal time, completely changed the script.
In extra time, with legs tiring and the score level, the decider came from the spot. In the 120+5th minute, deep into the dying moments of the second period of extra time, Youri Tielemans converted a penalty to make it 3-2 and spark scenes of joy on the Belgian bench. The midfielder, scorer of a decisive brace, was named man of the match.
Senegal, who came within touching distance of one of the tournament's great shocks after dominating for over an hour, leave the 2026 World Cup with the bitterness of having let a 2-0 lead slip. Pape Thiaw's men fought to the last, but Belgium's response and Tielemans' spot-kick left them empty-handed.
With this comeback for the ages, Belgium advance to the round of 16, where they await the winner of the United States v Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Red Devils, who survived on the brink, remain alive in a single-elimination phase where there is no room for error.