Belgium stages miraculous comeback to beat Senegal and reach World Cup knockout stage

Belgium narrowly escaped World Cup elimination, staging a stunning comeback to defeat Senegal 3-2 in extra time and secure a spot in the Round of 16. For much of the match, Belgium appeared destined for defeat, trailing 2-0 until the 89th minute.

The African side had taken a deserved lead in the 25th minute through Habib Diarra, following a header by Ismaila Sarr that struck the post. Senegal's attack, exploiting the flanks, continued to threaten Belgium's disorganized defense. Despite the scoreline, Belgium's coach, Rudi García, had adopted a cautious approach, which contrasted with his stated ambitions for the tournament.

However, in a remarkable turn of events, Belgium managed to equalize in the dying moments of regular time. The decisive blow came in the 119th minute when a penalty, awarded after a VAR review for a foul in the box, was converted by Youri Tielemans, sealing a miraculous victory for the Red Devils. The win, however, came despite a performance that offered little merit for most of the game.