Senegal’s World Cup dream ended in cruel and controversial fashion as Belgium came from two goals down in the final five minutes of normal time to win 3-2 after extra time in a dramatic Round of 32 tie at Seattle Stadium on Wednesday, 1 July 2026.
The Lions of Teranga were the better side for long periods and thoroughly deserved their lead. Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra opened the scoring in the 24th minute, before Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr doubled Senegal’s advantage in the 51st minute, controlling a superb long pass from Moussa Niakhate on his chest, holding off two defenders, and thundering a finish beyond Thibaut Courtois.
Belgium, who made changes at the break including introducing Romelu Lukaku for the ineffective Charles De Ketelaere, struggled to create clear-cut chances for long spells and looked destined for an early exit, with Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku surprisingly withdrawn in the 56th minute. But almost out of nowhere, Rudi Garcia’s side produced a remarkable late collapse from Senegal to turn the game on its head. With four minutes of normal time remaining, Lukaku turned in Thomas Meunier’s low cross at the near post, and just over two minutes later Youri Tielemans headed home Leandro Trossard’s delivery to force extra time, stunning the Senegalese contingent inside Seattle Stadium.
The drama continued deep into the additional period. Tielemans was brought down by Lamine Camara inside the box in the 117th minute as the ball flashed across goal, and after a lengthy VAR review lasting several minutes, the referee pointed to the spot. Tielemans held his nerve to convert in the 125th minute — the latest goal in World Cup history — sending Belgium through and ending Senegal’s tournament. Sky Sports pundits Roy Keane and Gary Neville publicly disputed the penalty decision, with Keane calling it “so 50-50” given how long the video review took.
It is a bitter blow for Senegal, who appeared firmly in control before Belgium’s late surge, and comes only months after their Africa Cup of Nations final walkout in protest at a similarly contentious late penalty awarded to Morocco. Belgium advance to face the United States in the last 16.
