Tielemans' controversial late penalty seals Belgium comeback over Senegal in World Cup last 32
Quick summary
Belgium came from behind to beat Senegal in a FIFA World Cup 2026 last-32 knockout match, with Youri Tielemans converting a disputed late penalty to complete the turnaround.
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Attributed to original sourceA seesawing classic of a contest had just ticked into the 122nd minute, penalties all but a formality, when the referee, Saíd Martínez, wandered back towards the centre circle to award Belgium a stoppage-time penalty. The VAR, Guillermo Pacheco Larios, had highlighted Lamine Kamara swiping away Youri Tielemans’s left ankle in the seconds before Dodi Lukébakio had skimmed the crossbar. For Belgium, it was a get out of jail card, Tielemans converting the spot-kick to propel Rudi Garcia’s side into the last 16. After 85 minutes, they trailed Senegal 2-0.
Just as it seemed Belgium would join Germany and the Netherlands in the World Cup departures lounge, Garcia’s side rallied to take an entertaining game to extra time. With an early exit and second-half stoppage time looming, Romelu Lukaku, a half-time substitute, and Tielemans scored a goal apiece as Belgium struck twice in three minutes to cancel out goals by Habib Diarra and Ismaïla Sarr.
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What happened
Belgium overturned a deficit against Senegal to win a World Cup 2026 last-32 knockout tie. The match was settled in controversial fashion when Tielemans scored a late penalty that was disputed by Senegal. The result sends Belgium into the next round and eliminates Senegal from the tournament. The contentious nature of the decisive spot kick is likely to dominate post-match discussion.