Belgium’s Youri Tielemans (8) celebrates after scoring thrd goal throughout the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
SEATTLE — Belgium overturned a two-goal deficit and scored from the penalty spot deep into additional time to beat Senegal 3-2 on Wednesday in the largest comeback of the World Cup up to now.
Senegal held a 2-0 lead with just 5 minutes of regulation time remaining but late goals by Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans pushed the round of 32 match into additional time.
READ: World Cup: Belgium defeats Latest Zealand 5-1 to advance
Tielemans accomplished Belgium’s comeback by converting a penalty within the a hundred and twenty fifth minute of the sport – the newest goal in World Cup history.
“Being a part of this comeback is a proud moment because I scored the last two goals to present the team the win today. I’m very pleased with that to give you the option to assist the team to attain goals and produce us over the road,” Tielemans said.
He was fouled with only seconds to go and with a penalty shootout looming, and the referee awarded the spot kick after a video review, ignoring protests from the Senegal team.
Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye (13) pulls Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku (9) throughout the Fifa World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
“I don’t want to interpret the choice. All of us have different interpretations in relation to awarding a penalty,” Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said. “I’d relatively not comment, not interpreting the referee’s decision.”
The win for Belgium marked the second time within the last 11 World Cups that a team trailed by two or more goals within the knockout round and advanced. Belgium also did so in a 3-2 victory over Japan within the round of 16 on the 2018 tournament.
“Senegal deserved to win,” Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said. “But, I’m blissful it was us.”
Most of the key players from the Belgium team that finished in third place in Russia in 2018 were instrumental to Wednesday’s victory. Lukaku, who leads his nation in goals scored, got here off the bench to get Belgium back into the match by scoring within the 86th minute, setting the scene for Tielemans to force additional time.
“It’s a cruel loss, as we were good in the sport,” Thiaw said. “We had the advantage. We were leading 2-0. Nonetheless a football match shouldn’t be an 85-minute one. Belgium got here back, and we weren’t capable of take care of that … We must congratulate Belgium as they progress.”
Belgium is back within the round of 16 for the third time in 4 tournaments. The team reached the quarterfinals in 2014 and the semifinals in 2018 but did not get out of the group stage 4 years ago in Qatar.
The Belgians will next face america on Monday in Seattle.
Senegal long gave the impression to be heading toward the round of 16. Habib Diarra scored in the primary half and Ismaïla Sarr made it 2-0 in the beginning of the second. It was his fourth goal of the World Cup, and one of the vital beautiful of the tournament. Sarr made an ideal first touch off his chest on an extended ball from Moussa Niakhaté after which sent his shot past Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Courtois, who was playing in his fourth World Cup, then made three key saves to maintain Senegal from increasing its lead.
Senegal defender Krépin Diatta said Belgium shouldn’t have been allowed to get back into the sport.
“It shouldn’t have happened. You’ve got to defend your box and you might have to be the boss of your box,” he said. “We suffered, but we now have to go on. It’s a pity.”
Lukaku said Belgium showed character with its late comeback.
“This Senegal side is the most effective teams within the tournament,” he said. “Technically, physically and tactically, it was really tough. But after we stepped up the intensity of our pressing, after we were there for the second ball, our cohesion shone through and we won the match.”
Senegal headed to the World Cup because the second-highest rating team in Africa, behind Morocco. It won a chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final on Jan. 18 against Morocco, however the result was overturned by the governing body of African soccer because Thiaw had temporarily pulled his players off the pitch.
Senegal advanced to the World Cup knockout phase as the most effective third-place finishers after losing to France and Norway and beating Iraq.
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“It’s the perfect African nation. It’s so simple as that,” Garcia said. “They showed that even against France, they dominated in the primary half. They got here out of a difficult group. I’d have preferred to not play against them.”