Hundreds in Ypres Cheer as Red Devils Beat Senegal After Extra Time

In Ypres, hundreds of supporters gathered at Vandenpeereboomplein, their cheers echoing as they watched the Belgian "Red Devils" snatch a dramatic 3-2 victory over Senegal after extra time. The atmosphere was electric, a mix of nail-biting tension and jubilant celebration.

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I'm hoarse from shouting. It was unbelievable, improbable! When we were two goals behind, there was depression in the square. Everyone thought it would be nothing anymore. And then the second half: bang, bang, bang! We kept pushing and got a bit lucky with the penalty.

Supporters experienced a rollercoaster of emotions. Belgium trailed by two goals until the 85th minute, a situation that initially cast a pall of "depression" over the crowd. However, a stunning comeback in the second half, capped by a penalty, ignited an "enormous party." "I'm hoarse from shouting," said 35-year-old Koen Boudeweel, reflecting the collective elation and disbelief.

Organizers Tommy Dereyne and Kristof Vanhullebusch expressed satisfaction with the turnout and the shared experience. The event saw fans standing on chairs and occupying the street to get a better view. Despite some minor safety concerns due to the crowd's density, the spirit of camaraderie and shared hope was palpable. "You should never give up hope," Boudeweel added, embodying the resilient spirit that carried the team and its fans to victory.

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The party was enormous. The vibe in the cafe and on the square was fantastic. The Belgians have proven themselves again. We remain positive. You should never give up hope.

Seventeen-year-old Stan Degryse described the match as a "rollercoaster," recalling how friends lost faith while he held onto hope, drawing parallels to a previous match against Japan. The victory reaffirmed the team's ability to perform under pressure, leaving fans optimistic about future matches, potentially against Spain in the semi-finals.

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It was a rollercoaster. I saw a lot of emotions. My friends didn't believe in it anymore and became very sad. But I had Belgium-Japan in mind. I kept hoping it would turn out well and eventually it happened, magnificent!