[World Cup Review] '0:2 to 3:2 dramatic comeback': Belgium defeats Senegal, advances to Round of 16 with a '120+5th minute' theater-goal

*This content was translated by AI.

The Belgian national football team secured a dramatic comeback victory over Senegal and advanced to the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup.

On the 2nd (Korean time), Belgium defeated Senegal 3-2 in a grueling extra-time battle during the Round of 32 match held at Seattle Stadium in the United States.

After finishing third in the 2018 Russia tournament and suffering an early exit in the group stage at the 2022 Qatar tournament, damaging their pride, Belgium succeeded in reaching the Round of 16 in this tournament. Their Round of 16 opponent will be the winner of the match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It was truly a dramatic comeback story.

Belgium conceded the opening goal just 24 minutes into the first half. Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace) headed the ball toward the goal, and Habib Diarra (Sunderland) finished it off. Then, in the 6th minute of the second half, a single long pass from behind collapsed the defensive backline, allowing Sarr to score another goal, widening the gap to two goals.

With the match looking increasingly bleak in the 41st minute of the second half, Belgium's comeback began. Romelu Lukaku (Napoli) started the turnaround by finishing a cutback from the wing to score a consolation goal. Three minutes later, Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa) connected with a cross from the wing with a header, shaking the net and instantly restoring parity.

Ultimately, the match went into extra time. Senegal, seeking to change the momentum, and Belgium, aiming to turn the tide with a late winner, engaged in a fierce battle.

No team could find a breakthrough for a long time until a decisive penalty kick was awarded late in the second half of extra time. A foul by Ramin Kamara (Monaco) was called during a cross from the wing. Tielemans, the designated kicker, struck the shot toward the upper corner of the goal, shaking the net. The official goal time was 120+5 minutes. This was the moment Belgium, trailing by two goals until the final moments of regular time, overturned the score to 3-2.

Senegal, pushed into a corner, launched a relentless offensive to seek an equalizer. However, they failed to capitalize, including a crucial free-kick opportunity from the front of the penalty box taken by Pape Sarr (Tottenham) in the final moments of stoppage time. As the referee's final whistle ended the extra-time battle, the fates of the two teams diverged.

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*This content was translated by AI.