Senegal's dramatic exit: latest goal, comeback and controversy
Senegal suffered a heartbreaking World Cup last-16 defeat to Belgium, squandering a two-goal lead and losing in extra time after a disputed penalty.
Senegal's World Cup campaign came to a dramatic end in the round of 16 against Belgium. Leading 2-0 through goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr with only four minutes of normal time left, they appeared destined for the quarter-finals.
However, Romelu Lukaku pulled one back in the 86th minute, and three minutes later Youri Tielemans headed in an equaliser from Leandro Trossard's cross. In extra time, a VAR review awarded Belgium a penalty after Lamine Camara's challenge on Tielemans, which Tielemans converted at 124 minutes 44 seconds – the latest goal ever scored in a World Cup match.
Senegal manager Pape Thiaw expressed his pain, saying his team gave everything but could not hold on. Belgium boss Rudi Garcia praised his side's belief and the impact of substitutes.
The penalty decision sparked debate, with former players Gary Neville and Roy Keane arguing it was harsh and that the referee took too long to make the call. For Senegal, it evoked memories of the Africa Cup of Nations final in January, where a similar VAR-awarded penalty cost them the title.
Belgium advanced to the quarter-finals, where they will face either the United States or Bosnia-Herzegovina. They became the first team to win a World Cup match after trailing by two or more goals since they themselves did so against Japan in 2018. Despite on-field tensions between Tielemans and Trossard during a hydration break, Belgium's golden generation showed they still have the resilience to compete.
