Belgium completed one of the greatest comebacks in FIFA World Cup history, overturning a two-goal deficit in the closing minutes before defeating Senegal 3-2 after extra time to book their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
For 85 minutes, Senegal looked destined to become the latest African nation to eliminate European opposition in the knockout stage.
Habib Diarra opened the scoring in the 25th minute before Ismaïla Sarr doubled the Teranga Lions’ advantage shortly after the restart, leaving Belgium staring at a shock elimination. Senegal were also inches away from extending their lead after striking the woodwork twice during an impressive display.
The comeback began in the 86th minute when substitute Romelu Lukaku, introduced at half-time by coach Rudi Garcia, powered home from Thomas Meunier’s cross.
Just three minutes later, Belgium captain Youri Tielemans headed in Leandro Trossard’s delivery to level the contest at 2-2 and send the match into extra time.
As penalties appeared inevitable, the defining moment arrived deep into stoppage time of extra time.
Following a lengthy VAR review, referee Héctor Martínez awarded Belgium a penalty after Lamine Camara was adjudged to have fouled Tielemans inside the area. Tielemans calmly converted in the 120+5th minute to complete an extraordinary 3-2 victory and send Belgium into the Round of 16, where they will face either the United States or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The dramatic turnaround has already entered World Cup history.
Belgium became the first team ever to avoid defeat in normal time after trailing by two goals in the 85th minute of a World Cup match, while Senegal became the first nation in tournament history to be eliminated after leading by two goals entering the 85th minute.
The comeback also echoed Belgium’s famous Round of 16 victory over Japan at the 2018 World Cup, when the Red Devils recovered from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
Belgium’s substitutes proved decisive, with Lukaku, Meunier and other second-half introductions transforming the contest after an otherwise lacklustre performance. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also made several crucial saves to keep Belgium within touching distance before the late revival.
For Senegal, the defeat was devastating. Coach Pape Thiaw described the result as cruel after his side had controlled large portions of the match, only to see their World Cup campaign collapse in dramatic fashion.
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