Tielemans' 125th-minute penalty completes Belgium's stunning 3-2 comeback against Senegal

Youri Tielemans converted a 125th-minute penalty to complete one of the most remarkable comebacks of the 2026 World Cup, as Belgium overturned a two-goal deficit to defeat Senegal 3-2 after extra time and advance to the last 16.

Senegal had looked entirely in control for the majority of the match, with Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr giving them a deserved 2-0 lead that appeared to be enough to send them through. But Belgium scored twice in the final four minutes of normal time — Romelu Lukaku turning in Thomas Meunier’s low cross at the near post, before Tielemans headed home from Leandro Trossard’s deep ball after a costly error from goalkeeper Mory Diaw — to force extra time.

The decisive moment came in the 125th minute when Lamine Camara slid in on Tielemans as the ball crossed the face of goal. A VAR review awarded the penalty, and Tielemans picked out the top corner to complete an extraordinary turnaround.

It was a cruel outcome for Senegal, who controlled large portions of the game and struck the woodwork twice. Sarr hit the post from close range in the opening exchanges before Diarra opened the scoring in the 25th minute, side-footing home after Sarr’s header rebounded off the post from Sadio Mane’s cross. Sarr then added the second with a composed finish after brilliantly controlling a long pass from Moussa Niakhate and holding off two defenders.

Belgium had offered little until the closing stages, with Maxim De Cuyper’s first-half effort — which drew a fine save from Diaw — their most threatening moment before the late flurry. Lukaku had been introduced at half-time for the ineffective Charles De Ketelaere, and his goal proved the catalyst for the comeback.

Senegal become the fourth African side to exit the tournament in a narrow last-32 defeat, joining South Africa, Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Belgium, meanwhile, advance to face the winner of the last-32 tie between co-hosts United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle.