Belgium Advances in World Cup
Belgium Secures World Cup Round of 16 Spot with Dramatic Comeback Against Senegal
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Belgium survived one of the most dramatic matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, coming back from two goals down to beat Senegal 3-2 in extra time on Wednesday in Seattle. Youri Tielemans scored the winner from the penalty spot in the 118th minute — a controversial call that sent the Red Devils into the Round of 16. Yahoo Sports called it a "comeback, controversial late penalty" that stunned Senegal and the watching world.
The result was sealed at Lumen Field in Seattle before a sold-out crowd. Goals from Habib Diarra put Senegal firmly in control, but Belgium roared back with two goals in a three-minute span late in the second half before clinching the tie in stoppage time of extra time. KOMO News described the finish as a "stunning comeback" that eliminated the African champions.
How Belgium Erased a Two-Goal Deficit in Minutes
Senegal looked in total control for most of the match. Habib Diarra scored twice to put the Lions of Teranga 2-0 ahead and on course for the Round of 16. Belgium had barely threatened. Then everything changed in the space of three minutes. The Facts reported that Belgium pulled one back, then leveled immediately after, forcing extra time and sending the stadium into chaos.
The comeback was powered by two veterans who refused to quit. Romelu Lukaku, Belgium's all-time top scorer with 86 international goals, played a central role in the fightback. Midfielder Youri Tielemans steadied the team and finished the job from 12 yards in the 118th minute. Manager Domenico Tedesco had moved Tielemans into a more advanced midfield role at halftime. That switch proved to be the turning point.
The Penalty That Decided Everything — and Sparked a Debate
The winning penalty was called in the dying seconds of extra time — the 118th minute. Yahoo Sports noted the call was "chaotic" and immediately controversial. Senegalese fans and West African commentators called the decision unfair, arguing Belgium's physical play in the box had gone unpunished throughout the match. The VAR reviewed the incident but upheld the referee's decision.
Senegal manager Aliou Cissé was blunt after the final whistle. "We had them where we wanted them for 70 minutes," he said. "At this level, five minutes of lost focus costs you the tournament." His counterpart Tedesco pointed to his team's experience. "We respected Senegal's speed," Tedesco said, "but we relied on our tactical maturity."
Belgium's Golden Generation Refuses to Fade Away
Belgium arrived in the U.S. under real pressure. Their early exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar raised questions about whether the so-called "Golden Generation" — built around Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne — was finished. Under Tedesco, the squad has blended those veterans with younger talents. Wednesday's result showed that combination works. Former Belgian international Vincent Kompany said on BBC Sport: "In 2022, they would have folded after the first goal. In 2026, they thrived on the pressure."
De Bruyne, who did not score, set up the header that sparked the comeback. The assist was his 50th international goal contribution. Lukaku said after the match: "They wrote us off after 2022. They said we were too old. Tonight, we showed that Belgium's heart beats stronger than ever." Belgium now advance to the Round of 16, where they could face Croatia or Morocco in Philadelphia.
Markets, Odds, and National Pride All Surge After the Win
The victory had effects far beyond the pitch. Belgium's odds to win the World Cup shortened from +1400 before the match to +900 after it, according to DraftKings. Fan-token assets tied to Belgium rose 22% within four hours of the final whistle, Crypto Briefing reported, as bettors looked for a European team to back against the South American favorites Brazil and Argentina.
Back home, the win carried political weight too. Belgium is a country often split along Flemish and French linguistic lines. The national team is one of the few things that unites everyone. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo posted online: "One team, one nation. Into the Round of 16!" — using football as a rare moment of shared national pride ahead of ongoing regional political talks.
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