Belgium goals: Lukaku (86), Tielemans (89, 120+5 pen) Senegal goals: Diarra (25), Sarr (51)
A Youri Tielemans penalty deep into the added minutes of extra time completed an incredible comeback to power into the last 16 of the , when they had appeared destined for the exit at 2-0 down and with time running out.
came out of the blocks quickly, finding luck down the wings through Sadio Mane and Iliman Ndiaye. That pressure almost turned into the game's opening goal when Thibaut Courtois pushed a deflected cross from Ismail Jakobs into the path of Ismaila Sarr. Falling, the Crystal Palace forward pushed the ball onto the post before swinging his leg and sending the rebound wide.
The Lions of Teranga finally converted their pressure into a lead minutes later through Habib Diarra, after Sarr once again hit the woodwork. Mane served a beautiful inswinging cross and Sarr outjumped the Belgium centre-backs, before Diarra was the quickest to the rebound.
Senegal added a second after the break with Sarr finally getting his goal. Centre-back Moussa Niakhate fired a precise long ball which Sarr was able to bring down with his chest as he broke past the Belgium centre-backs, before firing past Courtois.
Belgium appeared to be down and out, but in the dying minutes, substitutes Thomas Meunier and Romelu Lukaku combined to give the Red Devils a lifeline, and then Tielemans headed home an inswinging cross from Leandro Trossard to draw the European side level and spark scenes of jubilation as extra time beckoned.
With the game looking destined to be decided by penalty kicks, there was still time for more drama as Tielemans was brought down in the box and stepped up to fire home the penalty following a VAR review to send Senegal home in cruel fashion.
The Red Devils will remain in Seattle to play their Round of 16 match on 6 July against either hosts USA or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This is the second time Belgium have recovered from a two-goal deficit to win a World Cup knockout match after their 3-2 victory over Japan in the 2018 round of 16.
"We’re out – it hurts. We must congratulate the team, who gave it their all, but unfortunately we weren’t able to hold on to our two-goal lead. Congratulations to the Belgian team, who have gone through. We have to accept this – that’s football." Pape Thiaw, Senegal manager
"In football, anything is always possible as long as you believe in it. The strength of this squad also lies in the players who come off the bench, because you can’t get results with just eleven players. We made the necessary adjustments from the second half of the first half onwards; we were playing key passes from too far out when there was no need to. We sorted that out and things improved, even though we conceded the second goal." Rudi Garcia, Belgium manager
"I’ve had enough of these matches! (laughs) It was intense, but we gave it our all. We were trailing, but we showed character. In matches like this, that’s what it takes. This Senegal side is one of the best teams in the tournament. Technically, physically and tactically, it was really tough. But when we stepped up the intensity of our pressing, when we were there for the second ball, our team spirit shone through and we won the match. It’s victories like this that we need to bring this squad even closer together. [On his goal] I think it’s my dad up there helping me. [On the fact that he was originally supposed to take the penalty] As I’m still going through a tough time mentally, I preferred Youri to take it." Romelu Lukaku, Belgium player
"We’re disappointed. We had a good first half, but it wasn’t enough. A match lasts 90 minutes, and we’re devastated. It’s very tough. I don’t know what to say. When you’re on the pitch, you have to give your all, and that’s not what we did. We’ve only got ourselves to blame." Habib Diarra, Senegal
Sources: FIFA Official
