This time, Senegal’s players left the field without the sting of injustice that marred their early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations final in January. However, they still faced disappointment as Belgium advanced to the last 16 deep into extra time. The decisive moment came when Youri Tielemans calmly converted a penalty in the 124th minute and 44 seconds, marking it as the latest goal ever scored in World Cup history.
As the match approached a penalty shootout, the referee, Saíd Martínez, approached the video review monitor, with players anxiously awaiting the decision on Lamine Camara’s foul on Tielemans just before Dodi Lukebakio nearly scored. Romelu Lukaku bounced the ball near the penalty area while Senegal’s players crowded the spot, and Pathe Ciss attempted to buy time by collapsing on the ground. Coach Rudi Garcia turned away, unable to watch, as Tielemans seized the opportunity to secure Belgium’s spot in the next round against the USA on Monday (Tuesday at 1 AM BST). A heartbroken Camara left the pitch in tears, his green shirt shielding his face as he walked down the tunnel.
While this bitter ending felt all too familiar for Senegal, Belgium had faced similar challenges before. Tielemans, a substitute during the 2018 World Cup, had been part of the team that overcame a 2-0 deficit against Japan to win 3-2 and reach the quarter-finals. Key players like Thibaut Courtois, Thomas Meunier, Romelu Lukaku, and Kevin De Bruyne contributed to that victory, and they played crucial roles again. De Bruyne, along with Jeremy Doku, was substituted early in the second half as Garcia aimed to shift the team’s momentum. At that point, Ismaïla Sarr had just doubled Senegal’s lead with a stunning goal that left Belgium reeling.
What turned the tide for Belgium? Perhaps it was the intense exchange between Tielemans and Leandro Trossard during the second-half hydration break. Lukaku and substitute Nico Raskin stepped in to mediate. “Lukaku tried to calm both of them down,” Garcia noted afterward. “I’m not sure what sparked the argument, but I appreciate that kind of intensity on the field. When I took over the team 18 months ago, I recognized their skill on the ball but felt they lacked aggression. To achieve results, you need to be solid and ready to fight. We’re a stronger team when we maintain that mindset.”
Garcia’s strategic substitutions made a significant impact, particularly those who charged onto the field after Tielemans’s equalizer and penalty kick. Lukaku replaced the ineffective Charles De Ketelaere at halftime and made his mark by scoring from Meunier’s cross in the 86th minute. Lukebakio also made a noticeable impact after coming in for Doku. Raskin took De Bruyne’s place, who had shifted into a supportive role during extra time.
The match could have unfolded differently had Courtois not prevented Senegal from scoring a third goal with just six minutes left in regular time. Sadio Mané played a crucial role in Habib Diarra’s opening goal, but he was denied a goal himself when Courtois made a stunning save. Just five minutes later, Belgium equalized, with Tielemans heading in a well-placed cross from Trossard after Lukaku’s clever finish. Tielemans had directed Trossard to exploit the space behind Moussa Niakhate, and the Aston Villa midfielder soared above Niakhate and Ismail Jakobs to beat Senegal’s goalkeeper, Mory Diaw.
Trossard dropped to his knees, soaking in the moment, while Diego Moreira rushed to celebrate with him. Senegal felt that Niakhate had been pushed by Tielemans and protested the penalty decision, but their head coach, Pape Thiaw, chose not to criticize the officiating afterward. “This is a heartbreaking loss,” Thiaw reflected, recalling his own past triumph with Senegal in 2002. “We had the advantage at 2-0, but a football match lasts longer than 85 minutes. Belgium fought back, and we couldn’t handle that pressure.”
