Belgium 3–2 Senegal (AET): Lukaku Sparks the Comeback, Tielemans Wins It From the Spot in the 125th Minute
The Round of 32 saved its epic for Belgium and Senegal. Two goals down with four minutes of normal time remaining... no — that undersells it. Senegal led 2–0 on 86 minutes and were eliminated 3–2, beaten by a half-time substitution, an 89th-minute equaliser, and a penalty converted in the 125th minute of a match nobody present will forget.
Senegal, so ruthless in their 5–0 demolition of Iraq, carried that form into the knockout stage. Habib Diarra struck in the 25th minute, and when Ismaïla Sarr converted from Moussa Niakhaté's delivery six minutes into the second half, the Lions of Teranga led 2–0 and looked utterly in control.
The Lukaku Swing
Belgium's manager had already rolled the dice at the break, sending on Romelu Lukaku. For forty minutes it changed little — then it changed everything. In the 86th minute Thomas Meunier crossed and Lukaku powered Belgium back into the tie. Three minutes later, Leandro Trossard created for Youri Tielemans, and from 2–0 down Belgium were level before the fourth official's board had settled.
Into the Longest Night
Extra time was a war of attrition between two exhausted teams — and it produced the cruellest of endings. Deep into stoppage time of the second period, with a shootout seconds away, Belgium won a penalty. Tielemans, scorer of the equaliser, took responsibility in the 125th minute and converted. There was no time to respond. Senegal's players dropped where they stood.
It is a heartbreaking exit for a Senegal side who played the better football for an hour and a half, and a signature win for a Belgium team that had stuttered through the group stage with three draws' worth of performances. Their reward: a Round of 16 meeting with the hosts USA on July 7.
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⚽ Goals (5)
Cards (3)
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