Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterWell...that's the kind of high-stakes drama only a World Cup knockout game can provide.With 85 minutes played, Senegal were absolutely coasting through to the round of 16 thanks to goals from Habib Diarra and a wonderful Dennis Bergkamp-esque strike from Ismaila Sarr.Belgium had been absolutely rotten. Slow, sloppy, barely looking interested at all - they made England's earlier performance against DR Congo look positively assured in comparison.Play our FREE match predictor and win �1kAwful Belgium stage ridiculous fightback to see off Senegal in dramatic fashionBut fate seemed to have other ideas. Substitute Romelu Lukaku fired home Thomas Meunier's ball to suddenly hand Belgium the notion that they might actually be able to rescue the game.It took just three minutes for them to do exactly that, with Youri Tielemans rising to beat goalkeeper Mory Diaw to a high ball into the box and head it into the unguarded net. You may like Belgium vs Senegal prediction: Will the World Cup's greatest underachievers get past this Senegalese hurdle? How to watch Belgium vs Senegal for FREE Who is Said Martinez? The referee for Belgium vs Senegal Seeing a side come back from two goals down in the final four minutes was drama enough for one night, but there was still more to come in extra time.Senegal wasted two excellent opportunities to restore their lead, an with the seconds ticking down and a penalty shootout looking inevitable, Belgium looked to have wasted their best chance as Dodi Lukebakio unbelievably hit the crossbar from 12 yards.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Senegal's relief was short-lived, however: Belgium claimed that Tielemans had been fouled by Lamine Camara as the cross came in.A VAR check halted play, and ultimately suggested that Honduran referee Said Martinez should go and have a look at the pitchside monitor.That Camara went through the back of Tielemans was in no doubt, but ITV's crew of pundits (incorrectly, for us) felt that was not enough to warrant a spot kick. "I genuinely don't believe that is a penalty," Gary Neville said after the final whistle. "I think if Tielemans gets a touch on the ball and then gets kicked, fair enough." What to read next England avoided a nailed-on penalty with calamitous Ezri Konsa challenge, says esteemed referee Who are the ITV commentators, pundits and presenters for Belgium vs Senegal? England 2-1 DR Congo live: Battle for the last 16 as Harry Kane breaks Leopards' defensive resilience A visibly nervous Martinez had a good long look at the incident, and ultimately begged to differ with Neville, explaining that Tielemans would have had the opportunity to reach the ball had it not been for the foul, and deciding to award a spot kick.Perhaps having flashbacks to Senegal conceding a last-second penalty to Morocco in the AFCON final earlier this year, Pathe Ciss decided a walk-off was out of the question on this occasion, but that he would have a nice long lie down on the penalty spot instead.That caused a further delay as Lukaku stood holding the ball, and by the time he handed it over to Tielemans to curl into the top corner, the clock showed 120+5 minutes played.Yet even that wasn't the end of the story. Another six minutes later, play was still live, and Ismaila Sarr felt sure a Belgian handball to block his shot was inside the box. The officials got it right, it wasn't - but only just.Pape Matar Sarr put the resulting free kick over the bar, and that was all she sang. Scarcely-deserving Belgium are through to the next round; shell-shocked Senegal have only themselves to blame for finding a way to lose.TOPICSBelgiumSenegalWorld CupWorld Cup 2026Steven ChickenSocial Links NavigationSteven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.
