Belgium's Stunning Comeback Sinks Senegal — a 125th-Minute Winner Sends the Red Devils Through

In the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup, Belgium pulled off an extraordinary comeback against Senegal. Trailing 0-2 late in normal time, Belgium levelled through Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans, then won it 3-2 with Tielemans' penalty in the dying moments of extra time to reach the Round of 16.

In Seattle on July 1, Senegal looked set for an upset, leading 2-0 through Habib Diarra and Ismaïla Sarr and still two goals up with barely five minutes of normal time to play. But Belgium substitute Romelu Lukaku pulled one back in the 86th minute, and Tielemans equalised in the 89th to force extra time. Then, deep in the second period of extra time, Tielemans coolly converted a penalty in the 125th minute — recorded as the latest goal in World Cup history — to settle it.

For Senegal, it was an agonising exit. The side that thrashed Iraq 5-0 to sneak in as one of the best third-placed teams — the very team that had edged out South Korea for the last wildcard spot — could not protect a two-goal lead and fell in extra time. A game that was five minutes from the Round of 16 was turned on its head by Belgium veterans Lukaku and Tielemans.

The day's other two games were also settled. England beat DR Congo — the surprise third-placed qualifiers — 2-1 to reach the Round of 16, and host nation the USA saw off Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to book their place in front of their home fans.

The Round-of-16 picture is now filling out. Belgium will face the USA, and England meet host nation Mexico. The final Round-of-32 ties are played on July 2-3, with Portugal vs Croatia on July 2 and Argentina vs Cape Verde on July 3 still to come. Follow the live bracket and results on our bracket page (/bracket).