Tielemans Penalty in Final Seconds Completes Belgium Comeback

Round of 32 · Lumen Field, Seattle · July 1, 2026

Belgium came from two goals down to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time in Seattle, with Youri Tielemans scoring the winner from the penalty spot in the final seconds.

Habib Diarra put Senegal ahead in the 25th minute, and Ismaïla Sarr doubled the lead in the 51st, set up by Moussa Niakhaté. Sarr also hit the woodwork twice.

Belgium hit back late in normal time. Substitute Romelu Lukaku, on at halftime for Charles De Ketelaere, scored in the 86th minute from Thomas Meunier’s pass, and Tielemans equalized three minutes later, set up by Leandro Trossard. Meunier had been on the field for only eight minutes when he made the assist.

Rudi Garcia reshaped his side early in the second half, taking off Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku in the 56th minute for Nicolas Raskin and Dodi Lukebakio. Diego Moreira followed in the 63rd and Meunier in the 78th. Senegal made changes of their own, bringing on Lamine Camara, Pape Matar Sarr and Ibrahim Mbaye, and replacing Sadio Mané early in extra time.

Extra time was goalless until the very end, when Belgium were awarded a penalty after a video review. Tielemans converted it five minutes into added time at the end of extra time.

Senegal created more, with 3.54 expected goals to Belgium’s 1.80. The shots were level at 19 each, with five on target for both sides, and Thibaut Courtois and Mory Diaw made three saves apiece. Belgium had 52% of the ball and completed 86% of their passes to Senegal’s 84%, but committed 22 fouls to Senegal’s 12.

Tielemans and Sarr were the standout players, and GoalServe’s ratings could not separate them. Tielemans scored twice from two shots on target. Sarr scored, set up two chances and twice found the frame of the goal. Lukaku added two key passes to his goal, and Trossard created three chances and completed three dribbles.

For Senegal, Diarra scored before going off in the 73rd minute, and Mané created three chances. Timothy Castagne made five tackles in Belgium’s defense.

Belgium lined up in a 4-2-3-1, with Tielemans, Hans Vanaken, Trossard, De Bruyne and Doku in midfield and De Ketelaere up front. Senegal played a 4-3-3 with Iliman Ndiaye, Sarr and Mané in attack. Saíd Martínez of Honduras refereed in front of 66,925.

Belgium won Group G after draws with Egypt and Iran and a 5-1 win over New Zealand. Senegal had come through as a third-placed team in Group I, after defeats to France and Norway and a 5-0 win over Iraq. Belgium reach the Round of 16, where they will face the USA or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

More: Belgium at the 2026 World Cup · Senegal at the 2026 World Cup

ESO Soccer Match Desk

Archive coverage. First published on ESO Soccer on October 2, 2026. The archive date reflects the events covered.