Belgium defeats Senegal 3-2 in thrilling Round of 32 match at 2026 World Cup

Belgium looked dead and buried at 0-2 down with four minutes of regular time remaining. Then they did what Belgium does in World Cups: made everyone question whether they’d actually been watching the same match.

In one of the most dramatic Round of 32 encounters in FIFA World Cup history, Belgium clawed back from a two-goal deficit to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time in Seattle on July 1, 2026. The winning goal, a Youri Tielemans penalty in the 125th minute, came after a VAR-reviewed decision that will be dissected, debated, and relitigated for years.

Senegal’s masterclass, then collapse

Habib Diarra opened the scoring in the 25th minute, and the Lions of Teranga carried that energy into the second half with purpose and precision.

Ismaila Sarr doubled the lead in the 51st minute. Then the 86th minute happened. Romelu Lukaku found the net to make it 2-1. Three minutes later, Tielemans equalized. Two goals in three minutes.

The penalty that changed everything

The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time of the second extra-time period. A penalty was awarded to Belgium, and the decision went to VAR review. After what felt like an eternity, the call stood.

Tielemans stepped up and converted in the 125th minute, or more precisely at 124 minutes and 44 seconds of elapsed play. That makes it the latest match-winning goal ever scored in World Cup history.

Senegal’s players were devastated. This was a team that had controlled the game for the vast majority of its duration, led by two goals, and still found themselves on a flight home.

Belgium’s history of late drama

The 2026 World Cup, expanded to 48 teams, introduced a Round of 32 before the traditional Round of 16. Belgium now advances to the Round of 16, while Senegal’s tournament is over.

Senegal came into this tournament as a respected African side with genuine knockout-stage pedigree, having reached the quarterfinals in 2002. Being eliminated like this, after controlling a match so thoroughly, is the cruelest possible exit.

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