Belgium stage stunning comeback to sink Senegal in extra time

Belgium kept their World Cup title hopes alive with a stunning 3-2 extra-time victory over Senegal, rallying from two goals down in a dramatic last 32 clash.

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We talked for a while. Romelu said, ‘take it’. And I was ready to take it.

Youri Tielemans converted a penalty in the 125th minute to seal the comeback after Senegal had taken a deserved 2-0 lead through Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr. The West African nation controlled much of the match and struck the woodwork twice, but saw their advantage evaporate in the final minutes of regulation time.

Belgium, who had brought on Romelu Lukaku at halftime, found their lifeline in the final four minutes. Lukaku scored from a low cross, and Tielemans headed in an equalizer, forcing the match into extra time. The momentum had shifted, and the penalty awarded after a VAR review proved decisive.

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I am very proud to be captain of this team. We are all winners and try to do our best. Whether we will analyse this match tomorrow? I hope the day after tomorrow, first a day ​off!

"We fell behind and then it’s up to us to try to show a reaction. We did," said Tielemans, who was proud to captain the team. "It was the bench players who made the difference again, especially for that first goal. Everyone gives everything and sometimes it works better than other times."

“

We fell behind and then it’s up to us to ​try to show a reaction. We did. It was the bench players who made the difference again, especially for that first goal. Everyone gives ‌everything and ⁠sometimes it works better than other times.

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw expressed his sadness, stating, "I believe that our team deserved it (to win). Unfortunately, we are eliminated. I’m extremely sad, so are the players. They did deserve the win but it didn’t work out in our favour today." Belgium will now face the winner of the United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina match in the next round.

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I believe that our team deserved it (to win). Unfortunately, we are eliminated. I’m extremely sad, so ​are the players. They did deserve the win but it didn’t work out in our favour today.