Belgium Rallies Past Senegal On Extra-Time Penalty To Reach Last 16
Belgium overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Senegal 3-2 in extra time on a penalty kick, advancing to the World Cup Round of 16 on July 2 in Seattle.
Belgium, Europe's top-ranked team, came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Senegal before winning 3-2 on a penalty kick in extra time to advance to the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Round of 32 final group match took place on July 2 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, USA. Belgium, Group G champions from Europe, faced Senegal, the third-place finisher from Group A in Africa.
Belgium manager Rudy Garcia deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation featuring stars including Thibaut Courtois, Timothy Castagne, Brandon Mechele, Arthuro Theate, Maxim De Cuyper, Yuri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken, Leandro Trossard, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, and Charles De Ketelaere as starters.
Senegal, coached by Papa Diaw, lined up in a 4-3-3 with Mory Diaw, Krepin Diatta, Pathe Ciss, Moussa Niakhaté, Ismail Jakobs, Abibou Diarra, Idrissa Gueye, Pape Gueye, Iliman Ndiaye, Sadio Mane, and Ismaila Sarr in their starting eleven.
Despite Belgium's higher profile, Senegal created consistent opportunities and struck first in the 25th minute when Ismaïla Sarr's shot off the post bounced to Abibou Diarra for an easy finish, giving Senegal a 1-0 halftime lead.
Belgium made an immediate adjustment in the second half by bringing on striker Romelu Lukaku in place of De Ketelaere. However, Senegal extended their lead to 2-0 in the 51st minute when Ismaïla Sarr broke through to score again.
Belgium pulled one back in the 86th minute through Lukaku's goal, making it 2-1. In the 89th minute, Yuri Tielemans equalized at 2-2, forcing 30 minutes of extra time. The match appeared headed to a penalty shootout, but Belgium earned a penalty kick that Tielemans converted to secure a 3-2 victory.
In the Round of 16 on July 7, Belgium will face the winner of the match between hosts United States and Bosnia at the same venue.
