Youri Tielemans converted a 125th-minute penalty as Belgium came from two goals down to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match on Wednesday.
The result sent Belgium into the last 16, where they will face the winner of the United States-Bosnia and Herzegovina match. Senegal were eliminated after leading 2-0 early in the second half.
It was the first World Cup meeting between the two sides, and Senegal made the stronger start after Belgium’s Leandro Trossard had tested their defence.
Ismaila Sarr struck the post before Sadio Mane sent in a cross that Sarr headed against the upright. Habib Diarra reacted first to the loose ball and side-footed home from close range in the 25th minute.
Belgium introduced Romelu Lukaku at halftime in place of Charles De Ketelaere, but Senegal extended their lead six minutes after the restart.
Moussa Niakhate’s long pass was controlled by Sarr, who held off two Belgian defenders before driving his finish past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
It was Sarr’s fourth goal of the tournament, drawing him level with Roger Milla’s 1990 tally for the most goals scored by an African player at a single World Cup.
Senegal controlled much of the match and had struck the woodwork twice, but Belgium found a way back in the closing minutes of normal time.
Lukaku reduced the deficit with a near-post finish from Thomas Meunier’s low cross. Tielemans then headed in Trossard’s delivery to level the score and force extra time.
Both teams had chances in the additional period. Senegal went close through Ibrahim Mbaye, while Belgium’s Dodi Lukebakio hit the crossbar.
With the match appearing to be heading to a penalty shootout, video review ruled that Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara had fouled Tielemans in the area as the ball travelled across the face of goal.
Lukaku initially appeared ready to take the penalty before handing the ball to Belgium captain Tielemans, who sent his effort into the top corner.
“We talked for a while. Romelu said, ‘take it’. And I was ready to take it,” Tielemans said after the match.
“I am very proud to be captain of this team. We are all winners and try to do our best. Whether we will analyse this match tomorrow? I hope the day after tomorrow, first a day off!”
Tielemans said Belgium’s substitutes had played an important role in the comeback.
“We fell behind and then it’s up to us to try to show a reaction. We did,” he said. “It was the bench players who made the difference again, especially for that first goal. Everyone gives everything and sometimes it works better than other times.”
The victory extended Belgium’s unbeaten run to 17 matches and kept their World Cup campaign alive after they had appeared close to elimination.
© instagram.com/footballsenegalSenegal coach Pape Thiaw said his side had deserved more from the match after their performance over 90 minutes.
“I believe that our team deserved it to win,” Thiaw said. “Unfortunately, we are eliminated. I’m extremely sad, so are the players. They did deserve the win but it didn’t work out in our favour today.”
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