Belgium 3-2 Senegal: Controversial 125th minute penalty sees Red Devils advance to last 16

By admin — In yahoo — July 1, 2026

   ​Belgium 3-2 Senegal: Controversial 125th minute penalty sees Red Devils advance to last 16Belgium completed a sensational comeback against Senegal to secure their spot in the last 16, coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in extra time, with a 125th minute penalty.Habib Diarra opened the scoring shortly before the half-hour mark, when he followed up on Ismaïlla Sarr’s rebounding header to poke home from close range. Sarr added the second for Senegal just minutes into the second-half, with a fierce volley into the top corner.Romelu Lukaku gave Belgium a lifeline late in the day before a last gasp header from Youri Tielemans levelled the score to take the match to extra time.Tielemans was on the scoresheet again with virtually the last kick of the game, when he converted a spot kick to complete a spectacular comeback and win the match for Belgium.As it happenedRudi Garcia named an unchanged starting XI following his side’s 5-1 win over New Zealand, which saw them win their group. Meanwhile, Senegal made two changes to their side, with Iliman Ndiaye and Pathé Ciss replacing Ibrahim Mbaye and Abdoulaye Seck after their emphatic 5-0 win over Iraq last time out.Leandro Tossard registered the first shot on target after five minutes, when his powerful strike was well saved by Mory Diaw. However, the best chance of the opening stages of the game fell to Sarr, who looked to pounce on a mistake from Thibaut Courtois; however, the forward’s stretching effort struck the post from inside the six-yard box.Sarr was denied by the woodwork once again, this time with a header, before Diarra followed in and poked the rebound into a virtually empty net to give Senegal the lead in the 24th minute. Sadio Mané looked to double his side’s lead 10 minutes later, but slipped at the vital moment, causing his shot to roll into the grateful arms of Courtois.Jérémy Doku came close to a leveller shortly before half-time, when his low cross was deflected towards goal and well held by Diaw. The Senegalese keeper was called into more spectacular action moments later, denying Maxim De Cuyper’s long-range strike, meaning his side retained their 1-0 lead going into the break. Lukaku was introduced at half-time, replacing Charles De Ketelaere.Senegal flew out of the traps in the second half, when Sarr controlled a beautiful ball over the top before volleying into the top corner from inside the penalty area. The Red Devils responded with a double change that saw Nicolas Raskin and Dodi Lukébakio replace Doku and Kevin De Bruyne, who has now perhaps made his final appearance in a Belgium shirt.Another change followed shortly after, with Hans Venaken replaced by Diego Moreira. The first yellow card of the match was shown to Brandon Mechele in the 63rd minute after he body-checked Sarr. As Belgium began to gain a foothold in the match, Senegal made their first change, with Lamine Camara replacing Pape Gueye in the middle of the park. The midfielder was almost immediately booked   

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