Belgium defeats Senegal in World Cup knockout match

In a 2026 World Cup match, Belgium secured a spot in the round of 16 after a comeback victory against Senegal. Senegal initially led 2-0 with goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr, dominating the rhythm of the game for most of the match. Belgium responded late in regulation time with two goals, forcing the game into extra time. Youri Tielemans was the decisive figure for Belgium, scoring an equalizer and later securing and converting a penalty at the 125th minute to make the final score 3-2. Belgian manager Rudi Garcia influenced the game through early tactical substitutions, including the withdrawal of Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku and the introduction of Romelu Lukaku. This comeback victory serves as a significant turning point for the Belgian squad's morale in the tournament.