Seattle: Belgium has staged a remarkable comeback from two goals down to defeat Senegal 3-2 after extra time in their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash in Seattle, with Youri Tielemans converting a 125th-minute penalty to keep the Red Devils’ title hopes alive.
Senegal looked set for a famous victory after Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr gave the African side a commanding 2-0 lead, but Belgium scored twice in the closing minutes of normal time through Romelu Lukaku and Tielemans to force extra time.
The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time of extra time when Lamine Camara fouled Tielemans inside the penalty area. After a video assistant referee (VAR) review, the referee awarded a penalty, and Tielemans calmly fired his spot-kick into the top corner to complete Belgium’s stunning turnaround.
Leaving it late ⏱️#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/sXjhtls3w1
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Senegal had dominated much of the contest and came close to extending their lead on multiple occasions, striking the woodwork twice. Ismaila Sarr was denied by the post early in the match after Thibaut Courtois parried Ismail Jakobs’ cross into his path.
The breakthrough arrived in the 25th minute when Sadio Mane’s cross led to another effort hitting the post before the rebound fell kindly for Diarra, who slotted home from close range. Belgium threatened through Maxim De Cuyper before halftime, but Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw produced an excellent save to preserve his side’s advantage.
Belgium introduced Romelu Lukaku at the start of the second half, replacing Charles De Ketelaere, but Senegal doubled their lead in the 51st minute. Moussa Niakhate delivered a superb long pass that Sarr expertly controlled before holding off two defenders and firing past Courtois.
With time running out, Belgium mounted an extraordinary late fightback. Lukaku pulled one back from Thomas Meunier’s low cross before Tielemans headed home Leandro Trossard’s delivery just minutes later to level the scores and send the match into extra time.
Tielemans completed the comeback in the dying moments of extra time from the penalty spot, sealing Belgium’s place in the Round of 16, where they will face the winner of the United States versus Bosnia and Herzegovina match.
The defeat was a heartbreaking end for Senegal, who controlled long periods of the contest but became the fourth African nation to exit the tournament in the Round of 32 after a narrow defeat.
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