Belgium book last-16 spot after Senegal blow 2-goal lead late

Belgium staged a stunning late comeback to beat Senegal 3-2 and secure their place in the World Cup round of 16. Senegal appeared to be in control, holding a 2-0 lead deep into the second half. However, Belgium mounted a remarkable rally in the closing stages of regulation time. Romelu Lukaku pulled one goal back in the 86th minute, and Youri Tielemans equalized in the dying moments, forcing the match into extra time.

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Being part of this comeback is a proud moment because I scored the last two goals to give the team the win today. I'm very proud to be able to help the team score goals and get us over the line.

With a penalty shootout looming, Tielemans completed the turnaround by converting a penalty in the 125th minute, scoring the latest goal in World Cup history. "Being part of this comeback is a proud moment because I scored the last two goals to give the team the win today," Tielemans said. "I'm very proud to be able to help the team score goals and get us over the line."

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw expressed frustration with the decisive penalty call. "I do not want to interpret the decision. We all have different interpretations when it comes to awarding a penalty," he stated. "I'd rather not comment on the referee's decision." Despite playing well and holding a significant lead, Senegal could not withstand Belgium's late surge. "It is a cruel loss because we played well," Thiaw added. "We had the advantage. We were leading 2-0. However, a football match is not only 85 minutes. Belgium came back, and we were not able to deal with that."

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I do not want to interpret the decision. We all have different interpretations when it comes to awarding a penalty. I'd rather not comment on the referee's decision.

Belgium, who finished third in the 2018 World Cup, will now face the United States in the next round. This victory marks the second time in 11 World Cups that a team trailing by two or more goals in a knockout match has recovered to advance. Senegal's goals came from Habib Diarra and Ismaïla Sarr, whose impressive individual effort put them 2-0 up before Belgium's dramatic fightback.

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It is a cruel loss because we played well. We had the advantage. We were leading 2-0. However, a football match is not only 85 minutes. Belgium came back, and we were not able to deal with that. We must congratulate Belgium as they progress.