SEATTLE, United States — In a dramatic twist of fate, Belgium mounted an incredible 3-2 comeback against Senegal in the FIFA World Cup 2026 last-32 match, held in Seattle.
The victory breathed new life into Belgium’s World Cup aspirations after falling behind 2-0. Senegal’s Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr had given the African side a 2-0 lead within the first half, appearing poised for a comfortable victory.
However, Belgium’s resilience was evident as they rallied with goals from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans in the dying minutes of regular time, leveling the score at 2-2.
The match progressed to extra time, where the decisive moment came in the 125th minute.
A video assistant referee (VAR) review led to a controversial penalty awarded to Belgium after Senegal’s Lamine Camara was penalized for a foul on Tielemans. Tielemans stepped up to convert the spot kick, securing a 3-2 victory and a spot in the last 16.
The controversy surrounding the penalty decision sparked debate, with some questioning its fairness. Despite the controversy, the match’s dramatic nature and the significance of Tielemans’late penalty were highlighted by media outlets like Al Jazeera and Newsx. Com.
Belgium’s fightback was described as one of the most remarkable in World Cup history, reigniting the team’s hopes of making a deep run in the tournament.
The victory was crucial for Belgium, who had been facing elimination after falling behind 2-0 against Senegal.
The match has also sparked discussions about the use of VAR in football, with some arguing that it can lead to controversial decisions.
As the tournament progresses, the focus will remain on the teams’performances on the pitch, but the impact of decisions like the one in this match will continue to be scrutinized. Belgium now faces the winner of the USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina match in the next round.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: aljazeera
Source: Reuters
