Youri Tieleman’s Brace Helps Belgium’s Comeback Win over Senegal

By Daniel Feuerstein | Seattle, WA | July 1st, 2026

This was a tale of two major moments between Belgium and Senegal. While the African side had a great start and looked the dominant side, there was a hint of weakness in their defense allowing this European side to sniff a chance to make a comeback and converted twice within the final moments of regulation and got a VAR review for a penalty in the final moments of second half stoppage time in Extra Time as Belgium is moving on to the Round of 16 by a final score of three goals to two After Extra Time.

Senegal strikes first off the post and in

Senegal had possession of the ball and worked it from the middle of the park toward the near side of the pitch. Sadio Mane got the ball and surveyed how he wanted to play the ball and create a goal-scoring opportunity. He quickly crossed the ball into the middle of the area, and it went toward Ismaila Sarr, who created a leaping header for the shot, but it hit the far post and back. Making the run for the rebound was Habib Diarra, as he got the ball and slammed it home for the lead in the 24th minute. Senegal were looking to be the second African side to advance to the Round of 16 and join Morocco.

A big looping ball sets up the second goal

As the second half got started, Senegal were looking for a second goal to keep up the pressure on Belgium, and they wanted to extend the lead. At the far side touchline, Moussa Niakhate sent a long looping ball just a few feet away from the midfield stripe and launched it towards the net. Ismaila Sarr was well onside and started to make his attacking run towards the net. The ball looped and bounced in front of Sarr’s path; when the defender was on him from behind, Sarr unleashed a fabulous strike to get the two-goal lead inside the near post in the 51st minute.

Belgium pulls one back to stay alive

Belgium has been forcing their way to somehow bring some life back into the game and trying to chip away at their deficit. It was a bit of magic that gave this European side that moment to erupt when they were attacking down the far side. A big cross from Thomas Meunier close to the far corner delivered a great ball to Romelu Lukaku, who was being tied up by a Senegalese defender, and somehow just got his left boot on the ball and redirected it in the net at the 86th minute to cut the deficit in half.

Another goal to get the equalizer

That first goal from Lukaku energized this veteran Belgium side, and they were pushing for more. Hunting for that equalizer to force the match into extra time and take a big chance. They finally got that chance when the ball was played along the near side of the pitch as Leandro Trossard received the ball and worked it toward the area. He delivered a fantastic cross toward the middle of the area. The ball landed towards Youri Tielemans, and when Mory Diaw came off his line to punch the ball away, Tielemans headed the ball past Diaw and into the back of the net in the 89th minute.

Belgium gets a penalty and converts in extra time

The match was tied at two throughout the 30 minutes of the Extra Time session, and many thought it was going to penalties until a challenge was made inside the Senegal area and questions were about to be asked. A VAR review was also being made to see what happened between the two players challenging for the ball. Belgium’s Tielemans was chasing the ball and attempting to make a play, but he was taken down from behind by Lamine Camara during a tackle. Camara’s right foot just took Tielemans down, and the referee informed the crowd that a penalty would be awarded to Belgium. Tielemans was given the ball and smashed his penalty to the upper far 90 in the fifth minute of 12 in second half stoppage time in extra time

Senegal allowed Belgium back in the match

For over 84 minutes, Senegal had the lead and never relinquished it, until they allowed a tiny crack in the door frame to allow Belgium to smash it down and gave them this victory. They failed to become the second African side to advance to the Round of 16 and join Morocco. Now they have to return home and ask questions about what happened, why it happened, and find a way to never allow this to repeat if they qualify for the 2030 World Cup.

Belgium with a big comeback victory over Senegal in extra time in the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Bad Dawg Sports will be there for every minute—sharp, direct, and on the ground as the Red Bulls continue with their youth movement as they take on anyone from Major League Soccer. Subscribe today for just $2 per year.