Belgium advances after dramatic penalty kick sinks Senegal

In one of the most astonishing, heart-stopping finishes in World Cup history, Belgium produced a stunning late comeback to knock Senegal out of the Round of 32.

A highly controversial, VAR-awarded penalty kick deep into stoppage time of extra time allowed the Red Devils to survive an immense scare from a fearless Senegal team.

With the match seemingly destined for an official penalty shootout sequence at a raucous Seattle Stadium, a dramatic video assistant referee intervention in the 119th minute completely flipped the narrative, handing Belgium a 3–2 victory and a ticket to the Round of 16.

Senegal, who only squeaked into the knockout rounds on goal difference, played with the liberated aggression of a team with absolutely nothing to lose.

They thoroughly rattled a sluggish Belgian defence in the first half.

In the 23rd minute, Habib Diarra opened the scoring with a crisp finish, leaving Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stranded.

Things went from bad to worse for Rudi Garcia’s side shortly after the interval.

In the 50th minute, Ismaïla Sarr latched onto a direct transition surge to fire home Senegal’s second, sending the travelling African supporters into absolute delirium.

Down 2–0, Belgium looked completely dead buried, facing an embarrassing exit that would likely draw a curtain on the international careers of Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.

With their backs against the wall, Garcia threw caution to the wind, introducing Romelu Lukaku off the bench.

The structural shift paid off late.

In the 85th minute, Lukaku muscle-bound his way into the box to spearhead a low finish past Senegal’s Mory Diaw, breathing life into the European side.

Just three minutes later, the stadium erupted again.

Youri Tielemans picked up a loose ball at the edge of the area and uncorked a fierce strike into the net to equalise at 2–2, forcing a breathless match into a gruelling 30 minutes of extra time.

As the players wilted under physical exhaustion in the second half of extra time, Belgium pushed forward.

In the 117th minute, Dodi Lukébakio hit the crossbar, signalling a frantic finale.

Then came the flashpoint. In the 119th minute, as a cross swung into the box, Senegal’s Lamine Camara kicked through the back of Tielemans’ leg.

While play initially continued, referee Said Martinez was instructed to check the pitchside VAR monitor.

Following a tense review, Martinez pointed to the spot, sparking furious, prolonged protests from the Senegalese players.

Amid immense gamesmanship and a multi-minute delay, Tielemans stood entirely unbothered.

In the 120+5th minute, he calmly stepped up and buried the penalty into the top corner, sealing an unbelievable comeback victory.

Belgium now march on to the Round of 16, where a blockbuster clash against either Bosnia and Herzegovina or the host nation United States awaits.

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