SEATTLE — Belgium managed to score in a dramatic finish, netting three goals in the closing moments of the game.
In a thrilling encounter, the Red Devils overcame a two-goal deficit, equalizing just before the full-time whistle and then grabbing a decisive third goal in extra time to defeat Senegal 3-2 in the World Cup’s Round of 32.
Youri Tielemans found the back of the net to level the game in the 89th minute, and he later scored a historic goal from the penalty spot in the fifth minute of extra time.
After he was fouled with just seconds to spare, the referee reviewed the play and awarded a penalty kick, avoiding what could have been a tense shootout.
Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiau, commented on the controversial decision: “I don’t want to interpret this decision. Everyone has a different interpretation when it comes to penalties. I have no intention of commenting further.”
This comeback by Belgium is quite remarkable; it’s only the second time in the last 11 World Cups that a team has rallied from a two-goal deficit in the knockout stage. The last time it happened for them was in 2018 against Japan, where they also won 3-2.
Key players from Belgium’s successful runs in previous tournaments played significant roles in this match. For instance, Romelu Lukaku, the team’s leading scorer, came off the bench to score an important goal in the 86th minute, which set the stage for Tielemans to equalize.
Thiau reflected on the loss with disappointment: “It was a cruel loss because we did well in the match. We were leading 2-0, but football doesn’t end in the 85th minute. Belgium fought back, and we couldn’t handle it. They deserve credit for their progress.”
Belgium has now reached the Round of 16 for the third time in four tournaments. They made it to the quarterfinals in 2014 and were semifinalists in 2018, though they didn’t make it past the group stage in the last World Cup.
The Belgians are set to face either the United States or Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on Monday.
Ismaila Sarr dazzled with his fourth goal of the tournament, scoring one of the highlights of the match to give Senegal a 2-0 lead in the 51st minute. He skillfully controlled a long ball with his chest before shooting past Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Senegal had initially taken the lead with a goal from Habib Diarra in the 25th minute, while they played without their key goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy, due to injury.
Courtois, in his fourth World Cup, made several vital saves to deny Senegal from extending the lead.
It’s worth mentioning that this was the second time this year Senegal faced a late penalty in a critical match. In the African Cup of Nations final earlier in the year, they dealt with a similar situation involving a controversial penalty decision against Morocco.
After losing, Senegal’s players protested the referee’s decision, and one player, Pate Ciss, collapsed amid the tension, which slightly delayed the game when Tielemans was ready for the penalty.
Thiau mentioned, “When the penalty was given, we had our interpretation. We believed there was no foul. The players were understandably upset, and a penalty was awarded, leading to our elimination.”
Senegal entered the knockout phase after being one of the top three teams in their group but faced a tough challenge against two-time champions France and Norway.
In a surprising turn, Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku were sent off in the 56th minute of the match.
