FIFA World Cup 2026: Belgium into last 16 following stunning comeback against Senegal

Youri Tielemans scored a controversial last-gasp extra-time penalty winner for Belgium to complete an incredible 3-2 comeback victory against Senegal in the last 32 of the World Cup.

Goals from Sunderland’s Habib Diarra and Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr saw Belgium trail 2-0 in the 86th minute.

But Belgium substitute Romelu Lukaku and midfielder Tielemans scored twice in the space of three minutes to send the game into extra time.

Penalties loomed before Tielemans was brought down by Lamine Camara’s 117th-minute challenge, and the referee gave a spot-kick after a seven-minute VAR review.

Speaking on ITV, Sky Sports pundits Roy Keane and Gary Neville disagreed with the penalty decision.

Tielemans then stepped up to slam home the penalty in the 125th minute, setting up a last-16 clash against USA in Seattle on July 7.

Senegal were deservedly in front at half-time as Diarra netted a rebound in the 25th minute from Sarr’s header, which had crashed back off the post.

Sarr then doubled the lead just six minutes into the second half as he superbly chested down a long ball which split the Belgium defence before lashing home.

Belgium pair Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku were surprisingly taken off in the 56th minute – and it looked like it would be 35-year-old De Bruyne’s last appearance at a World Cup.

However, his Napoli team-mate and half-time substitute Lukaku sparked an incredible comeback with four minutes of normal time remaining as he steered home Belgium’s first shot on target.

Two minutes and 39 seconds later, Tielemans headed in with Belgium’s second shot on target from Leandro Trossard’s cross to stun Senegal.

Twenty minutes earlier, the pair had been involved in a heated exchange at the hydration break, but those frustrations had turned to joy as Belgium somehow forced extra time. (Skysports)