Belgium survived one of the most dramatic reversals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Seattle on Wednesday, fighting back from two goals down to defeat Senegal 3-2 after extra time and advance to the round of 16. Youri Tielemans struck a penalty in the 125th minute — awarded following a VAR review — to complete an extraordinary comeback that had looked impossible for much of the contest.

Senegal, known as the Lions of Teranga, were the superior side for long stretches of the match, dominating possession and pressing with discipline. Habib Diarra opened the scoring in the 25th minute, converting after Ismaïla Sarr's header came back off the post, and Sarr doubled the lead six minutes into the second half with a powerful finish after a superb long pass from Moussa Niakhaté. The goal was Sarr's fourth of the tournament, equalling Roger Milla's record for the most goals scored by an African player at a single World Cup. Senegal also struck the woodwork twice during the match, and appeared firmly in control of their own destiny.

The turning point came with Belgium manager Rudi Garcia's half-time introduction of striker Romelu Lukaku, who added physicality and movement that had been absent. The introduction of Thomas Meunier at right-back in the 79th minute also provided fresh width and energy. Belgium's fightback came in a frenzied final four minutes of normal time: Lukaku tapped in from Meunier's low cross in the 86th minute, and Tielemans powered home a header two minutes later to force extra time. In the second period of extra time, a VAR review determined that Lamine Camara had fouled Tielemans in the penalty area — a decision that sparked immediate controversy — and Tielemans coolly dispatched the spot kick into the top corner.

The penalty ruling drew fierce debate online and among analysts. The specialist VAR review platform Archivo VAR argued that it was Tielemans who had extended his foot into Camara's path, questioning whether the incident met the threshold for a clear and obvious error requiring VAR intervention. Social media reactions, particularly in Africa, were sharp, with many supporters calling the decision a theft. Despite the controversy, Belgian players celebrated a result that extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches.

For Senegal, the defeat is a bitter blow. It ended their hopes of matching the historic quarter-final run they achieved in 2002 — still the furthest any African nation has progressed at a World Cup — and they also reached the round of 16 in 2022. They became the fourth African side eliminated by a narrow defeat in the last 32 of this tournament, following South Africa, Ivory Coast, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Dakar, where thousands had gathered at a fan zone near the Monument of African Renaissance, the mood quickly turned to grief and disbelief. Belgium will next face the winner of the round-of-32 clash between co-hosts the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina.