Belgium overturn two-goal deficit to beat Senegal in extra time

Belgium reached the World Cup last 16 after coming from two goals behind to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time in Seattle. Reuters reported that Youri Tielemans converted a 125th-minute penalty to complete the turnaround in the round-of-32 match.

The result kept Belgium in the tournament after Senegal had led 2-0 and controlled much of the match. Belgium will play the winner of the United States’ match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on Monday, according to Reuters.

Senegal went ahead in the 25th minute after sustained pressure. Reuters reported that Ismaila Sarr headed Sadio Mane’s cross against the post, and Habib Diarra reacted first to score from close range.

Senegal had already come close when Ismail Jakobs crossed from the left and Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois pushed the ball into danger. Sarr stretched to meet the rebound but sent it against the post, Reuters reported.

Belgium had one clear first-half chance, with Maxim De Cuyper forcing Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw into a strong save from a shot heading toward the top corner. Senegal took a 1-0 lead into the interval.

Belgium changed their attack at halftime, sending on Romelu Lukaku for Charles De Ketelaere. Senegal struck again soon after, with Reuters reporting that Moussa Niakhate’s long pass found Sarr, who controlled the ball on his chest, resisted two defenders and drove in the second goal in the 51st minute.

For most of the second half, Belgium struggled to turn possession into clear chances. Senegal also hit the woodwork twice across the match and appeared close to joining the last 16 before Belgium’s late response.

Lukaku pulled one back in the closing minutes of normal time, finishing at the near post from Thomas Meunier’s low cross. Tielemans then headed in Leandro Trossard’s delivery from deep to send the match into extra time, Reuters reported.

The decisive moment came when Lamine Camara slid in on Tielemans as the ball moved across the goalmouth. After a video assistant referee review, Belgium were awarded a penalty, and Tielemans placed his kick into the top corner.

Reuters reported that Tielemans and Trossard had argued earlier in the match, but the equaliser brought a celebration between the two players. Tielemans then became central to the match again with the winning penalty.

The defeat ended Senegal’s run after a match in which they led by two goals and had several chances to finish the contest. Reuters noted that Senegal became the fourth African team to lose narrowly in the last 32, after South Africa, Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.