Seattle Stunner: Belgium Roar Back After Senegal Self-Destruct

By Samuel Akpan

Senegal’s World Cup dreams were shattered in Seattle in the most heartbreaking fashion despite dominating the match and holding a comfortable two-goal cushion.

A late-game collapse allowed Belgium to pull off a stunning 3-2 extra-time comeback, dumping the Teranga Lions out of the Round of 32.

The Lions of Teranga started brightly and created the clearer openings in the first half.

 Ismaïla Sarr struck the post early from a cross before his follow-up went wide, while Sadio Mané continued to threaten from the left flank.

The breakthrough arrived in the 25th minute as Mané delivered an inviting cross, Sarr’s header came back off the post, and Habib Diarra reacted fastest to tap the ball into an empty net with Thibaut Courtois stranded.

Senegal doubled their advantage shortly after the interval.

Moussa Niakhaté split the Belgian defence with a precise pass, allowing Sarr to race clear and finish emphatically past Courtois for a deserved 2-0 lead.

Belgium appeared on the brink of elimination until their coach’s substitutions changed the momentum.

 In the 86th minute, substitute Romelu Lukaku reduced the deficit, arriving at the near post to convert Thomas Meunier’s cross.

The equaliser came in the final moments of normal time through another defensive lapse.

 Goalkeeper Mory Diaw failed to deal with Leandro Trossard’s cross, missing his attempted punch and allowing captain Youri Tielemans to head into an unguarded net, forcing extra time at 2-2.

Extra time belonged largely to Senegal on the balance of play, yet Belgium found a decisive moment deep in the additional period.

Diego Moreira’s low ball found Tielemans inside the box, where he was brought down by Lamine Camara.

After a lengthy VAR review, referee Saíd Martínez awarded the penalty just webTielemans stepped up and calmly sent Diaw the wrong way to complete Belgium’s remarkable comeback and seal a 3-2 victory.

The result sends Belgium through to the Round of 16, where they will face the United States on July 6 in Seattle.