In a stunning turn of events, Belgium dramatically clinched their qualification for the World Cup Round of 16 on Wednesday, July 1st. The Red Devils overcame Senegal with a decisive penalty converted in the dying moments of extra time, sealing a thrilling 3-2 victory.

Senegal had held a commanding two-goal lead until the 85th minute, thanks to early strikes from Habib Diarra (24th minute) and Ismaïla Sarr (51st minute). However, Belgium mounted an incredible late surge, with Romelu Lukaku (86th minute) and Youri Tielemans (89th minute) netting two rapid-fire goals to force the match into extra time.

The highly anticipated encounter had been difficult to predict, as both teams had displayed inconsistent form leading up to this knockout stage, each recording two draws and one victory in their previous matches.

Senegal began the match with fierce intensity, relentlessly pressuring the Belgian defense. Even the formidable Thibaut Courtois, the Red Devils’ and Real Madrid’s towering goalkeeper (1.99m), could only graze a cross from Ismail Jakobs, set up by Sadio Mané. Ismaïla Sarr then lunged for the ball, hitting the post in the 13th minute. Habib Diarra finally broke the deadlock in the 24th minute. Following another unstoppable cross from Mané on the left flank, Sarr’s header once again struck the post, but the 22-year-old Diarra was quickest to react, converting the rebound.

Belgium’s incredible second-half comeback

At halftime, Belgium’s French coach, Rudi Garcia, made significant tactical adjustments, bringing off Charles De Ketelaere, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jérémy Doku, and introducing Romelu Lukaku. These changes didn’t immediately yield results, as Senegal extended their lead with another goal from Ismaïla Sarr.

The second-half cooling break proved aptly named, as tensions visibly flared between Belgian captain Youri Tielemans and teammate Leandro Trossard. However, this apparent friction seemed to ignite a fierce resolve. Ismail Jakobs’ long-range shot narrowly missed Diaw’s top corner in the 77th minute. Then, Romelu Lukaku finally broke through in the 86th minute, his sixth World Cup goal reigniting hope for the entire squad. Just three minutes later, Tielemans headed home, leveling the score for Belgium in the 89th minute.

The initial period of extra time unfolded without much excitement, but the final minutes erupted with drama. Belgian player Dodi Lukébakio saw his shot deflected off the crossbar in the 117th minute. However, following a VAR review for an illegal tackle, a penalty was awarded, allowing captain Tielemans to convert and secure Belgium’s victory.

“In football, anything is possible as long as you believe. The strength of this squad also comes from those who come off the bench, because you can’t achieve results with just eleven players,” coach Rudi Garcia remarked after the match.

Belgium, who reached the semi-finals in 2018 but were surprisingly eliminated in the group stage four years prior, will now advance to the Round of 16 on July 7th, where they will face either the United States or Bosnia-Herzegovina.

For Senegal, this marks their fourth World Cup appearance, ending in a match that will undoubtedly leave them with deep regrets, perhaps mirroring the disappointment of losing the previous Africa Cup of Nations off the field to Morocco. “We are eliminated, and it hurts. We must commend the team for giving their all, but unfortunately, we couldn’t maintain our lead,” stated coach Pape Thiaw.