Senegal Heading Home After Dramatic 3-2 Defeat to Belgium
For the Teranga Lions, it was a painful exit after a performance that put them in control for long periods before late defensive lapses and the penalty decision turned the tie.
Stronger start
In a dramatic knockout tie decided by a late penalty, Belgium defeated Senegal 3-2 at Lumen Field on Wednesday, earning their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16.
The match, played in front of a crowd of 66,925, swung repeatedly across 131 minutes of action, with Senegal leading 2-0 before Belgium staged a late comeback and ultimately secured victory in extra time.
Senegal made the stronger start, controlling early possessions and creating the first clear chance in the 13th minute when Ismaïla Sarr broke through on goal. Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois produced an important save to keep the match level.
Belgium responded through Leandro Trossard, but Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw was alert to deny him from close range as the African side continued to dictate the tempo.
The breakthrough came in the 25th minute. Sadio Mané delivered a dangerous cross into the box, Pape Gueye’s effort was saved by Courtois, and Habib Diarra reacted quickest to finish from close range and put Senegal 1-0 ahead.
Belgium struggled to build rhythm in midfield and were forced into changes, including the withdrawal of Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku, as they searched for attacking control.
Commanding Position
Senegal doubled their lead in the 51st minute. Moussa Niakhaté provided the assist for Ismaïla Sarr, who finished clinically to make it 2-0 and put Senegal in a commanding position.
Belgium responded by introducing Romelu Lukaku, Nicolas Raskin and Dodi Lukebakio, increasing their physical presence in attack but still finding Senegal well organised defensively.
For much of the second half, Senegal remained in control, limiting clear chances while threatening on the counter-attack through Sarr.
Belgium’s clearest opening before the late turnaround came when Youri Tielemans fired into the side net from a tight angle.
As the match entered its closing stages, Belgium increased pressure significantly, committing more players forward and forcing Senegal deeper.
Reversal
The comeback began in the 86th minute when Romelu Lukaku reacted quickly inside the box to turn in a low cross from Thomas Meunier, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
Three minutes later, Belgium completed the equaliser. Leandro Trossard delivered an in-swinging cross from the right, and goalkeeper Mory Diaw failed to deal with it under pressure. Youri Tielemans headed into an empty net to make it 2-2.
Senegal were forced into sustained defending in stoppage time as Belgium pushed for a winner, but the match finished level after 90 minutes and moved into extra time.
Extra time began cautiously after the frantic end to regulation, with both sides initially reluctant to commit forward. Tensions rose briefly when referee Héctor Sorto interfered with play, while chances remained limited in the early stages of the additional period.
Belgium came closest when Dodi Lukebakio struck the crossbar in the 118th minute after a loose ball fell to him inside the box, but his effort clipped the top of the woodwork and went over.
The decisive moment came in the 121st minute after a Video Assistant Referee review awarded Belgium a penalty. Youri Tielemans stepped up and calmly converted, sending his effort into the top corner to complete the comeback and put Belgium 3-2 ahead.
Senegal pushed forward in the closing moments, with a free-kick from distance and a late cross into the box, but Thibaut Courtois held firm to secure Belgium’s victory.
Belgium, with the upsetting win, will face next the winner of USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina.
For Senegal, it was a painful exit after a performance that put them in control for long periods before late defensive lapses and the penalty decision turned the tie.
Belgium, meanwhile, will take confidence from their resilience in overturning a two-goal deficit in one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament so far.
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