Youri Tielemans converted a 125th-minute penalty as Belgium launched an astonishing comeback from two goals down to defeat Senegal 3-2 after extra time, keeping their World Cup 2026 title ambitions alive when all had seemed lost.

Senegal’s Lamine Camara brought down Tielemans inside the box as a low cross flashed across goal, and after a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty. The Belgian midfielder stepped up confidently and found the top corner to seal one of the most dramatic victories of the tournament.

Earlier, Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr had put Senegal in a commanding position with a 2-0 lead, seemingly booking their place in the last 16. But Belgium refused to back down, striking twice in the final four minutes through Romelu Lukaku and Tielemans to force extra time.

Youri Tielemans led Belgium to a thrilling victory that will be remembered as one of the standout matches of the competition.

Belgium will now meet the winner of the clash between co-hosts United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on Monday.

The result was harsh on Senegal, who had dominated large spells of the 90 minutes and were denied by the woodwork twice, but ultimately failed to hold on.

The defeat made Senegal the fourth African team to exit narrowly in the last 32, following South Africa, Ivory Coast, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They will rue how they allowed such a commanding position to slip away.

Senegal almost took the lead early in the match when Ismail Jakobs’ cross from the left was spilled by Thibaut Courtois, only for a stretching Sarr to direct the rebound onto the post.

The breakthrough finally came in the 25th minute, and it was well deserved. Sadio Mane’s cross was met by Sarr’s header, which struck the post again, but the rebound fell perfectly for Diarra, who calmly slotted home from close range.

Senegal appeared to be cruising at 2-0 up, showcasing control and composure in possession.

Belgium’s Maxim De Cuyper forced an excellent save from Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw with a curling shot destined for the top corner, but the Red Devils went into the break trailing.

At half-time, Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco introduced Romelu Lukaku in place of the ineffective Charles De Ketelaere, yet it was Senegal who struck next. Moussa Niakhate delivered a superb long pass that Sarr controlled on his chest before holding off two defenders and smashing the ball past Courtois to make it 2-0.

Belgium struggled to break through Senegal’s back line until the final minutes, when they turned the match completely on its head with two goals in quick succession.

Lukaku first converted at the near post from Thomas Meunier’s low cross, before Leandro Trossard’s deep delivery was met by Tielemans’ header after Diaw misjudged his run off the line.

Trossard and Tielemans, who had earlier exchanged heated words, celebrated joyfully after the equaliser. Moments later, Tielemans was at the heart of the action again, winning and then converting the decisive penalty to complete Belgium’s remarkable extra-time triumph.