Belgium 0-1 Senegal LIVE Score, FIFA World Cup 2026: De Kuyper's Long Ranger Saved By Diaw Once Again

Senegal continues to slice through the Belgian defense with clinical precision, moving the ball across the pitch with effortless confidence. Sadio Mané found himself at the heart of the action once again, executing a sharp one-two combination that opened up the Belgian backline. However, just as the forward prepared to curl a precise finish past Thibaut Courtois, he lost his footing, resulting in a tame effort that the Belgian goalkeeper gathered with ease. It was a reprieve for the Red Devils, who remain lucky to be trailing by only a single goal after another lapse in defensive concentration allowed the Lions of Teranga to create such a dangerous opening.

Belgium has struggled to find their rhythm, as the Red Devils have been stifled by Senegal’s intense physical approach and organized press. The Lions of Teranga have completely dictated the tempo, leaving the Belgian stars frustrated and disconnected in the final third. This mandatory hydration break has arrived at the perfect moment for Rudi Garcia’s side; it provides a vital tactical window to regroup, adjust their formation, and find a solution to the relentless pressure they are facing. If Belgium intends to mount a comeback and reclaim control of this Round of 32 clash, they must use these few minutes to mentally reset and formulate a plan to disrupt Senegal's momentum.

SENEGAL HAVE BROKEN THE DEADLOCK! In a stunning turn of events just before the hydration break, the Lions of Teranga have snatched a deserved 1-0 lead. Sadio Mané provided the spark, isolating his marker on the flank before curling a dangerous delivery toward the penalty spot. Ismaïla Sarr met the cross with a precise first-time header that rattled the right-hand post, leaving Thibaut Courtois stranded and helpless on the turf. Habib Diarra showed incredible predatory instinct to react faster than the scrambling Belgian defense, pouncing on the rebound to tap the ball into the empty net. It is a massive statement of intent from Pape Thiaw’s side, who have now put Belgium under immense pressure in this knockout showdown.

Senegal has just squandered an absolute golden opportunity to snatch the lead in this Round of 32 clash! Ismaïla Jakobs dismantled the Belgian left flank with blistering pace, delivering a dangerous cross that forced Thibaut Courtois into a nervy, uncharacteristic save, palming the ball directly into a chaotic six-yard area. Ismaïla Sarr was the first to react, pouncing on the loose ball to strike the post with a desperate poke. In a moment of pure disbelief, the rebound fell perfectly for him, yet he somehow contrived to squirm the follow-up wide from point-blank range. It is a massive let-off for the Red Devils, and Senegal will surely be haunted by such a glaring missed opportunity in a game where chances are at a premium.

Leandro Trossard continues to be the primary spark in the Belgian attack, finding himself in dangerous positions time and again. His latest attempt—a sharp, driven ball into a congested penalty area—was met with frantic defensive intervention from the Senegalese backline. Having netted a clinical brace in the group-stage finale, Trossard clearly carries the confidence of a player currently in peak form. Manager Rudi Garcia is undoubtedly hoping that this early aggression is a sign of things to come, as a second consecutive multi-goal masterclass from the Arsenal forward would go a long way in breaking the deadlock and propelling the Red Devils toward a spot in the quarter-finals.

The action is underway at Seattle Stadium as Belgium and Senegal kick off their highly anticipated Round of 32 clash. With referee Said Martinez signaling the start, both sides are eager to carry their group-stage momentum into this knockout tie. Belgium, having topped Group G with a convincing 5-1 win over New Zealand, maintain an unchanged starting XI, trusting the creative synergy between Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku, and Leandro Trossard. Senegal, looking to build on their own dominant 5-0 victory against Iraq, have opted for three tactical adjustments, bringing in Pathe Ciss, Iliman Ndiaye, and Pape Gueye as they look to challenge the Belgian defense. The winner of this encounter is set to advance to the Round of 16 to face either the USA or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mory Diaw; Krepin Diatta, Moussa Niakhate, Pathe Ciss, Ismail Jakobs; Pape Gueye, Idrissa Gueye, Habib Diarra; Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye

SUBSTITUTES: Yehvann Diouf, Mamadou Sarr, Kalidou Koulibaly, Abdoulaye Seck, Assane Diao, Lamine Camara, Bamba Dieng, Nicolas Jackson, Cherif Ndiaye, Pape Matar Sarr, Ibrahim Mbaye, Bara Sapoko Ndiaye, Antoine Mendy, El Hadji Malick Diouf

Thibaut Courtois; Timothy Castagne, Arthur Theate, Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper; Hans Vanaken, Youri Tielemans; Leandro Trossard, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku; Charles De Ketelaere

SUBSTITUTES: Axel Witsel, Romelu Lukaku, Senne Lammens, Mike Penders, Dodi Lukebakio, Thomas Meunier, Koni De Winter, Joaquin Seys, Diego Moreira, Alexis Saelemaekers, Nicolas Raskin, Amadou Onana, Nathan Ngoy, Matias Fernandez-Pardo

Senegal’s group stage campaign in the 2026 FIFA World Cup was a story of resilience and late-tournament momentum. Placed in a challenging Group I alongside France and Norway, the "Lions of Teranga" initially struggled, suffering back-to-back defeats against both sides. Faced with the threat of an early exit, they produced their most complete performance of the tournament in their final match against Iraq. Knowing only a substantial victory could keep their knockout dreams alive, Pape Thiaw’s side delivered an emphatic 5-0 win. The dominant display—featuring a brace from substitute Pape Gueye and goals from Habib Diarra, Ismaila Sarr, and Iliman Ndiaye—was historic, marking the first time an African nation had scored five goals in a men's World Cup match and ultimately securing their progression to the Round of 32 as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.

Belgium had a steady, albeit cautious, start to their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in Group G, opening with consecutive draws against Egypt (1-1) and Iran (0-0). Despite these early struggles in breaking down organized defenses, they found their rhythm in their final group match, producing a dominant 5-1 thrashing of New Zealand. This emphatic performance, highlighted by a brace from Leandro Trossard and goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Alexis Saelemaekers, ensured Belgium finished at the top of Group G with five points. The result not only secured their place in the knockout stage but also provided the team with a significant boost in confidence as they advanced to face Senegal in the Round of 32.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be telecast live on Unite8 Sports network on television. For live streaming, one can catch the action on the Zee5 app and website.

Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026

Stage: Round of 32

Kickoff Time: 4:00 PM EDT (1:30 AM IST on July 2)

Venue: Seattle Stadium, Seattle, Washington, USA

Referee: Saíd Martínez

Greetings, we are back with our FIFA World Cup 2026 live blog as Belgium and Senegal face-off in the Round of 32 match. The action is about to begin, so stay tuned for all the live updates from Seattle Stadium.