Youri Tielemans struck a 125th-minute penalty as Belgium rallied from two goals down and defeated Senegal 3-2 after extra time in their World Cup last -32 clash in Seattle to keep alive their title hopes, which had looked dead and buried.
Rudi Garcia’s men had looked to be heading out as they trailed an impressive Senegal by two goals with only four minutes remaining of normal time.
Senegal did break the deadlock in the 25th minute, it was no surprise. Sadio Mane’s cross was headed goal-wards by Sarr, but his effort came off the post again, but the loose ball fell kindly for Diarra, and he side-footed home from 7 yards. Belgium brought on Lukaku for the ineffective Charles De Ketelaere at half-time, but were soon 2-0 down when a stunning long pass from Moussa Niakhate was brilliantly controlled on the chest by Sarr, who held off two defenders before thundering the ball into the net in the 51st minute.
Belgium turned the game around by netting twice in three minutes. First, Lukaku turned the ball in at the near post from Thomas Meunier’s low cross, and Leandro Trossard’s ball into the box from deep was headed into the net by Tielemans.
And having rescued themselves in normal time, Belgium snatched a controversial winner in the 125th minute. After Dodi Lukebakio’s shot brushed the crossbar, they were awarded a penalty for Lamine Camara’s sliding challenge on Tielemans just before that chance following a video assistant referee (VAR) review that took seven minutes.
Tielemans stepped up and calmly slot the spot-kick into the top corner and settle the outcome.
