Drama In Seattle! Tielemans' Late Penalty Helps Belgium Enter Round Of 16 Following Comeback Victory Over Senegal
Belgium vs Senegal Match Gallery, FIFA World Cup 2026: In a pulsating Round of 32 clash in Seattle, Belgium mounted a miraculous comeback to edge Senegal 3-2 after extra time. Senegal appeared destined for the quarter-finals after controlling the tempo for 85 minutes, building a 2-0 lead through Habib Diarra (24') and Ismaïla Sarr (51'). However, Belgium’s late rally ignited when Romelu Lukaku struck in the 86th minute, followed immediately by a Youri Tielemans header in the 89th to force an additional period. The match peaked in the 125th minute; after a VAR review confirmed a foul by Lamine Camara on Tielemans, the Belgian midfielder coolly converted the resulting penalty. This stunning reversal marks one of the tournament's most resilient displays, as Belgium advance to the Round of 16 to face either the USA or Bosnia and Herzegovina, while a valiant Senegal side suffer a heartbreak exit. See the best photos from the BEL vs SEN football match here:
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (1) warms up for the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle Manu Fernandez/AP Photo
Fans of Belgium cheer before the World Cup round of 32 soccer match against Senegal in Seattle AP Photo/Maddy Grassy
Senegal's Habib Diarra (21), Sadio Mane (10) and Pathe Ciss (6) take the field for warm ups during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Fans of Senegal cheer prior to the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
Belgian fans get ready for the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
Senegal fans cheer before the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Senegal's Sadio Mane warms up prior to the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
Belgian fans pose before the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle. Manu Fernandez/AP Photo
Fans of Senegal cheer prior to the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
Senegal's Ismaila Sarr, right, makes an attempt to score against Belgium during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Seattle AP Photo/Maddy Grassy
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (1) dives for the ball during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal AP Photo/Manu Fernandez
Senegal's Habib Diarra (21) scores their first goal against Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (1) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Senegal's Habib Diarra (21) celebrates scoring their first goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle AP Photo/Abbie Parr
A pitch invader is held by security during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
A fan runs onto the pitch during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw makes a save during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match against Belgium in Seattl AP Photo/Maddy Grassy
Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne (7) walks on the pitch during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
Senegal's Habib Diarra (21) celebrates scoring their first goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Senegal's Ismaila Sarr (18) is congratulated after scoring his side's 2nd goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
Senegal's Ismaila Sarr, center, scores their second goal past Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, left, and Arthur Theate (3) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle Abbie Parr/AP Photo
Senegal fans celebrate scoring their second goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
Belgium's Romelu Lukaku, right, scores his side's opening goal against Senegal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Seattle Maddy Grassy/AP Photo
Belgium's Youri Tielemans (8) celebrates after scoring during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle Manu Fernandez/AP Photo
Belgium's Youri Tielemans, right, scores his side's 2nd goal against Senegal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Seattle Maddy Grassy/AP Photo
Senegal's Pathe Ciss (6) kneels on the pitch after Belgium were awarded a penalty during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
Referee Said Martinez, of Honduras checks the VAR during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Maddy Grassy
Belgium's Youri Tielemans (8) celebrates after scoring thrd goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Manu Fernandez/AP Photo
Senegal fan Maguette Fall, left, and fans supporting Belgium react as Belgium scores on a penalty to take the lead, as soccer fans watch a live outdoor broadcast of the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal, in downtown Miami, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Rebecca Blackwell
Players of Senegal react during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match against Belgium in Seattle Maddy Grassy/AP Photo
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (1) celebrates a win during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle Ted S. Warren/AP Photo
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia leaves the pitch after a win during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle Ted S. Warren/AP Photo
Soccer fans watch TV screens playing a World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal, at Bayside Marketplace in downtown Miami, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Rebecca Blackwell
Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia talks to his players during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw (23) hangs his head while leaving the pitch after a loss during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Ted S. Warren
Senegal's Pape Matar Sarr (17) reacts to a loss during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Ted S. Warren
Belgian players celebrate after the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
Belgium's Romelu Lukaku (9) celebrates a win during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Ted S. Warren
Belgium players celebrate after winning the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw talks after a loss during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Belgium and Senegal in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Ted S. Warren
Belgium's Romelu Lukaku, left, embraces Senegal's Moussa Niakhate after their World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Seattle, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Maddy Grassy
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