Youri Tielemans’ 125th-minute penalty seals stunning extra-time comeback as Belgium overturns 2-0 deficit to reach the World Cup last 16

Belgium produced a breathtaking late turnaround on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, as Youri Tielemans converted a 125th-minute penalty to secure a 3-2 extra-time victory over Senegal and send the European side into the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

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The match at Seattle Stadium looked firmly in Senegal’s control for much of the encounter, with the African side establishing a commanding 2-0 lead and appearing on course for a famous knockout-stage triumph.

Senegal opened the scoring through Habib Diarra, who reacted quickest to a rebound after Ismaila Sarr’s header from a Sadio Mané cross struck the post.

Sarr then doubled the advantage early in the second half, finishing confidently after controlling a long pass from Moussa Niakhaté.

Belgium, however, refused to surrender what seemed like a lost cause.

Veteran striker Romelu Lukaku, introduced at half-time, sparked the comeback in the 86th minute when he finished clinically from a Thomas Meunier cross, reducing the deficit and shifting momentum firmly towards the European side.

Three minutes later, Belgium levelled the contest when Tielemans rose highest to head in a delivery from Leandro Trossard, after goalkeeper Mory Diaw failed to deal with the cross, sending the match into extra time amid rising tension and fatigue.

With both sides pushing towards a penalty shootout, the decisive moment arrived in the fifth minute of stoppage time at the end of extra time when Tielemans went down under a challenge from Lamine Camara.

Following a VAR review, referee Said Martínez awarded a penalty, a decision that proved decisive in a match defined by fine margins and late drama.

Tielemans stepped forward and calmly converted, sealing Belgium’s dramatic comeback and recording what has been described as one of the latest winning goals in World Cup knockout history.

The victory preserves Belgium’s hopes in the tournament and keeps alive the ambitions of their experienced core, including Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, all of whom played key roles in the hard-fought encounter.

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Senegal, meanwhile, were left to reflect on a painful collapse after being minutes away from one of the nation’s most significant World Cup victories since their breakthrough run in 2002.