Despite Trailing 0–2

LIVE: Can Belgium prevail against Senegal?

Belgium turned the game around against Senegal and is now through to the World Cup round of 16.(Bild: AFP/ALEX GRIMM)

Belgium prevailed 3-2 over Senegal in extra time in a highly dramatic World Cup Round of 32 match. After the Senegalese had looked like certain winners for much of the match, the Belgians equalized late in regulation with goals from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans, forcing the game into extra time. There, a long-debated penalty kick ultimately decided the match. Tielemans coolly converted the penalty, sending Belgium into the Round of 16.

With a strong comeback at the World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, Belgium narrowly avoided elimination in the Round of 32. Coach Rudi Garcia’s team, trailing 0–2 against Senegal on Wednesday in Seattle, fought back with a late double strike to force extra time, where Youri Tielemans became the match-winner with his second goal, sealing a 3–2 victory. In the Round of 16 on Tuesday, back in Seattle, they will face either host nation the U.S. or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In front of 66,925 spectators, the Belgians found themselves trailing for much of the match after conceding goals to Habib Diarra (24') and Ismaila Sarr (51'), who scored his fourth goal of the tournament. But with a surge in performance down the stretch, they managed to pull themselves out of the hole. The 33-year-old “super sub” Romelu Lukaku (86th minute), with his 92nd international goal, and Tielemans (89th minute) took the world No. 10 into extra time, where a controversial penalty kick decided the match. The Belgians were thus able to avoid a second consecutive World Cup exit after the group stage.

Diarra rightly put Senegal ahead
The Senegalese, coached by Pape Thiaw, somewhat surprisingly set the pace for long stretches of the first half, skillfully moving the ball around their own ranks and pressing for the opening goal. After Thibaut Courtois parried a cross, Sarr pounced from close range but hit the post, and his follow-up shot from the ground went wide (13th minute). A volley by Idrissa Gana Gueye was too central (17th minute). In the 24th minute, Sarr was unlucky again when he hit the post—this time with a header off a Mane cross—but Diarra reacted quickest and easily tapped in the rebound to make it 1-0. Mane failed to capitalize on the opportunity (37th minute).

The “Red Devils” didn’t make their presence felt until the closing minutes—after three streakers had previously run onto the field—and they also threatened on offense. A long-range shot was dangerously deflected (43rd minute), and goalkeeper Mory Diaw made a fine save on a well-struck long-range shot by Maxim de Cuyper (45'). However, the Belgians were unable to carry that brief momentum into the second half with Lukaku, who had come on as a substitute at halftime. The Africans seemingly sealed the deal early on, adding another goal at the end of a trio of scoring chances. Sarr controlled a long ball from Moussa Niakhate with his chest and finished with his second touch.

Belgium’s Late Double Strike
The Belgians, who appeared out of sync on the field, didn’t start converting their increased risk into chances until the 78th minute. A shot by Dodi Lukebakio went wide, as did a header by Timothy Castagne shortly afterward (83rd minute). Once again, it was Lukaku who brought new hope to his team. The striker converted a cross from Thomas Meunier at the near post. Tielemans completed the one-two with a header off a Trossard cross. Goalkeeper Diaw had come out for the ball but missed it.

The Belgians dominated the first half of extra time, but Senegal then had the first chance to win the match, with Ibrahim Mbaye missing the target (109'). For the Belgians, Lukebakio hit the crossbar (117'). Shortly afterward, the VAR intervened after Lamine Camara struck Tielemans on the foot following a cross. The fouled player took the penalty himself and made no mistake. This sent the Belgians into celebration, just as they had in their 5-1 win over New Zealand.