In the World Cup Round of 16, Belgium defeated Senegal 3-2 after extra time. The match saw dramatic swings, as Senegal established a comfortable lead but Belgium staged a late comeback that earned them a crucial penalty.
Senegal started strongly, and Habib Diarra opened the scoring for the visiting team in the 25th minute. Following a sustained period of ball possession, Sadio Mané crossed from the left side, allowing Ismaila Sarr to head the ball off the post. Diarra quickly capitalized on the rebound to slot the ball into the net.
The Senegalese team extended their advantage deep into the second half. In the 51st minute, Ismaila Sarr displayed excellent control, meeting a long pass from Niakhaté on his chest before firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner, giving Senegal a commanding 2-0 lead. Despite Belgium’s efforts to close the gap, Senegal maintained a tight defensive structure, limiting Belgian opportunities.
The game’s momentum shifted dramatically in the final minutes. Romelu Lukaku reduced the deficit in the 86th minute. Just three minutes later, Youri Tielemans scored the equalizer in the 89th minute, sending the match into extra time.
The tie was ultimately decided by a penalty. After a foul on Tielemans, the video referee awarded a penalty to Belgium. After a thorough review of the footage, the decision stood, and Tielemans successfully converted the kick, securing the victory for the “Red Devils.”
Belgium’s next match is scheduled for Monday, where they will face the winner of the USA versus Bosnia and Herzegovina fixture in the next round.
