SEATTLE — Belgium national football team erased a two-goal deficit and defeated Senegal national football team 3-2 after extra time on Wednesday to advance to the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Senegal led 2-0 with five minutes remaining in regulation before Romelu Lukaku scored in the 86th minute and Youri Tielemans equalized to force extra time.
Tielemans completed Belgium’s comeback by converting a penalty in the 125th minute after the referee awarded a spot kick following a video review. The goal became the latest scored in World Cup history.
“Being part of this comeback is a proud moment because I scored the last two goals to give the team the win today,” Tielemans said. “I’m very proud of that to be able to help the team score goals and bring us over the line.”
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw declined to criticize the penalty decision.
“I do not want to interpret the decision. We all have different interpretations when it comes to awarding a penalty,” Thiaw said. “I’d rather not comment, not interpreting the referee’s decision.”
The victory marked only the second time in the last 11 World Cups that a team recovered from a two-goal deficit to win a knockout-stage match. Belgium also rallied from two goals down to beat Japan 3-2 in the round of 16 at the 2018 tournament.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia acknowledged Senegal’s performance after the match.
“Senegal deserved to win,” Garcia said. “But, I am happy it was us.”
Lukaku’s goal sparked Belgium’s comeback before Tielemans scored the equalizer to send the match into extra time.
“It is a cruel loss, as we were good in the game,” Thiaw said. “We had the advantage. We were leading 2-0. However, a football match is not an 85-minute one. Belgium came back, and we were not able to deal with that.”
Belgium advanced to the World Cup round of 16 for the third time in four tournaments and will face the United States men’s national soccer team on Monday in Seattle.
Senegal took control through first-half goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaïla Sarr. Sarr scored his fourth goal of the tournament early in the second half after controlling a long pass from Moussa Niakhaté before finishing past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Courtois made three saves later in the match to keep Belgium within reach before the comeback.
Senegal defender Krépin Diatta said his team failed to protect its lead.
“It shouldn’t have happened. You have to defend your box and you have to be the boss of your box,” Diatta said.
Lukaku credited Belgium’s pressing and teamwork for the comeback.
“This Senegal side is one of the best teams in the tournament,” he said. “Technically, physically and tactically, it was really tough. But when we stepped up the intensity of our pressing, when we were there for the second ball, our team spirit shone through and we won the match.”
