Belgium vs Senegal

In the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32, Belgium faced Senegal at Lumen Field in Seattle on July 2, 2026 (Beijing Time), and secured a dramatic 3-2 victory after extra time to advance. Senegal took a commanding 2-0 lead through H. Diarra (25') and Ismaila Sarr (51'), before Belgium mounted a stunning comeback with R. Lukaku pulling one back in the 86th minute and Youri Tielemans equalizing in the 89th minute, then converting a VAR-confirmed penalty in the 120th minute of extra time to complete the turnaround. Statistically, both sides registered 19 shots each, with Belgium enjoying 52% possession, an xG of 1. 8 compared to Senegal's 3. 54; Tielemans scored twice and earned a match rating of 8. 3, proving to be the decisive figure in Belgium's remarkable comeback. Belgium progressed to the next round while Senegal were eliminated, ending a disappointing run of one win, one draw and three defeats in their last five matches.

Senegal took an early two-goal lead through H. Diarra's strike in the 25th minute and Ismaila Sarr's finish in the 51st minute (assisted by Moussa Niakhaté), but Belgium mounted a dramatic comeback as R. Lukaku pulled one back in the 86th minute (assisted by Thomas Meunier) and Youri Tielemans equalized in the 89th minute (assisted by Leandro Trossard) to force extra time. In the 120th minute, Tielemans coolly converted a VAR-awarded penalty to complete the stunning reversal, finishing the match with two goals and a rating of 8. 3. Both sides registered 19 shots, with Senegal posting a higher expected goals figure of 3. 54 compared to Belgium's 1. 80, yet Belgium's resilience and clinical finishing proved decisive as they advanced by the narrowest of margins.

The match kicked off at 04:00 Beijing Time on July 2, 2026, and was ultimately decided by a penalty in the 120th minute, delivering an extraordinary last-gasp battle in the single-elimination format.