Belgium rally to stun Senegal with winning penalty after VAR review

Belgium will extend their stay in the Pacific Northwest following the latest dramatic ending in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup.

Trailling by ‌two goals to Senegal with five minutes remaining at Seattle Stadium on Wednesday, the Red Devils furiously rallied to level the game. Later in extra time, just moments from the game going to decisive penalty kicks, Belgium captain ‌Youri Tielemans drilled home the winning goal on a penalty awarded following a VAR review.

Belgium still needed to survive a final free kick from just outside their penalty box, but in the ​end they advanced to the round of 16 with a 3-2 win.

It sets up a showdown against the United States back in Seattle on Monday.

"Now we must recuperate, recuperate, recuperate, because it is hard on the legs," Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said. "In extra time it's like two boxers, we kept fighting and fighting."

Belgium's World Cup base camp is just a few miles down the road at the Sounders FC Performance Center, and the Red Devils opened their World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Egypt in another dramatic game.

"I ⁠believe in the quality of this side," Garcia said. "It's not the best of all time, but tonight we wrote history."

Senegal dominated 85 minutes of the match, ‌with ‌the ​Lions of Teranga mercilessly pressuring Belgium's overwhelmed backline. After Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a diving attempt to thwart an early attempt, Senegal opened the scoring on a rebound by Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra in the 25th minute.

Senegal made it 2-0 in the 51st minute on an outstanding goal by ⁠Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr, who took a long ball from Moussa Niakhate off ​his chest, shielded a defender and knocked his shot past a helpless Courtois.

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