FIFA World Cup: Belgium seal Round of 16 spot with dramatic last-gasp penalty winner

Belgium produced one of the greatest escapes of the FIFA World Cup 2026, overturning a two-goal deficit with three late goals — including the latest goal in World Cup history — to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time and storm into the Round of 16 on Wednesday.Just moments away from elimination, the Red Devils mounted an extraordinary fightback, with substitute Romelu Lukaku igniting the comeback before Youri Tielemans struck twice, including a dramatic penalty deep into stoppage time of extra time to send Belgium through.The victory also marked only the second time in the last 11 FIFA World Cups that a team trailing by two or more goals in a knockout match recovered to advance. Ironically, Belgium were responsible for the other such comeback too, when they rallied from 2-0 down to beat Japan 3-2 in the 2018 Round of 16.Tielemans' historic penalty completes stunning turnaroundBelgium looked destined for a shock exit after Senegal dominated much of the contest.Habib Diarra opened the scoring in the 25th minute before Ismaila Sarr doubled Senegal's advantage six minutes into the second half with one of the goals of the tournament. Sarr controlled Moussa Niakhate's long pass with a brilliant first touch before calmly beating veteran goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to make it 2-0.Courtois then kept Belgium alive with a string of crucial saves as Senegal threatened to put the contest beyond doubt.Belgium's revival finally began in the 86th minute when all-time leading scorer Romelu Lukaku, introduced from the bench, pulled one back.Just three minutes later, Youri Tielemans fired home the equaliser in the 89th minute to stun Senegal and force extra time.With a penalty shootout only seconds away, Tielemans was brought down inside the box in the dying moments of extra time. Following a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot.The Belgian midfielder calmly converted in the fifth minute of stoppage time in extra time, scoring the latest goal in FIFA World Cup history and completing one of the competition's most remarkable knockout comebacks.Senegal left heartbroken after VAR dramaSenegal's players were left devastated after seeing victory slip away in dramatic fashion.Coach Pape Thiaw chose not to criticise the decisive penalty decision."I do not want to interpret the decision. We all have different interpretations when it comes to awarding a penalty," Thiaw said. "I'd rather not comment, not interpreting the referee's decision," he said.The Senegal players surrounded the referee after the award, with defender Pathe Ciss even lying on top of the penalty spot in protest before eventually moving aside for the kick.Reflecting on the collapse, Thiaw admitted Belgium capitalised when it mattered most."It is a cruel loss, as we were good in the game. We had the advantage. We were leading 2-0. However a football match is not an 85-minute one. Belgium came back, and we were not able to deal with that ... We must congratulate Belgium as they progress," he said.He also explained his team's reaction to the decisive VAR call."Well, when the penalty was awarded, we had our own interpretation. We believed that there was no penalty. The players tried to challenge the decision. It's their right. And, then the penalty was taken. And, this is why we were eliminated," he added.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.