Senegal appeared to be cruising into the next round against Belgium after building a 2-0 lead heading into the 86th minute.
However, the Europeans struck twice late on to force extra time before sealing a stunning comeback with a stoppage-time penalty.
- Watch: ‘Angry’ Ronaldo shouts seven words & walks away after being asked Messi question
- Watch: New footage shows Ghana should have been awarded a penalty vs England
The West African side will feel hard done by after exiting the tournament in such heartbreaking fashion, having dominated Belgium for most of the contest.
Belgium looked to be falling apart in the closing stages, with tensions rising among the players. Romelu Lukaku was forced to calm things down, helping restore composure as his team mounted a remarkable fightback.
They had a misunderstanding , few minutes later , trossard assisted tielemanns for the equalizer pic.twitter.com/uZBeUdcmlw
— ABU AZEEZ (@AbuAzeezAbolaji) July 1, 2026
The striker stepped in to separate Belgium captain Youri Tielemans and Leandro Trossard after the pair became involved in a fiery confrontation moments before the comeback began.
All three players played crucial roles in Belgium’s revival. Lukaku pulled one back in the 86th minute before Trossard set up Tielemans for the equaliser, with the Arsenal midfielder delivering a floated cross into the area that was expertly finished by the Belgian captain.
Belgium eventually claimed victory in controversial circumstances after being awarded a penalty in the closing moments of extra time when Lamine Camara was judged to have fouled Tielemans inside the box.
The referee reviewed the incident with the assistance of VAR before awarding the spot-kick. What followed was a lengthy delay, as Senegal’s players crowded around the penalty area in an attempt to prevent Belgium from taking the kick.
Seven minutes after the referee was called to the monitor, Tielemans finally stepped up and confidently fired his penalty into the top corner, completing Belgium’s dramatic comeback.
The European side will now meet either the United States or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup round of 16.
