Belgium claimed a 3-2 win over Senegal in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash at Seattle Stadium on Wednesday, with a controversial penalty right at the end of extra time deciding the tie in favour of the European team.
The Lions of Teranga appeared set for a comfortable victory when they went into a two-goal lead (Habib Diarra 25’ and Ismaila Sarr 51’), but the Red Devils scored twice in quick succession (Romelu Lukaku 86’ and Youri Tielemans 89’) near the end of regulation time to send the game to an extra 30 minutes.
And a shootout appeared to be the logical conclusion until Belgium were awarded a highly-debatable penalty right at the death, which was converted by Tielemans to secure a dramatic 3-2 triumph.
Belgium complete a 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐂 comeback in extra-time 🤯🇧🇪#DStvFIFAWorldCup2026 | #EverythingCanWait pic.twitter.com/tIUZcxwmYA
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 1, 2026
Senegal started brightly and were achingly close to a goal in the 13th minute, with Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois fumbling a cross from Ismail Jakobs and Ismaila Sarr unwittingly directing the rebound toward the target, only for the ball to hit the post.
The winger had a second effort while scrambling on the ground, but could only find the side netting.
The Lions of Teranga broke through in the 25th minute, with a patient spell of dominance rewarded when Sadio’s Mane cross was headed onto the same post by Sarr, but this time the rebound fell for Habib Diarra, who gleefully fired home at close range for 1-0.
The Lions of Teranga 𝐑𝐎𝐀𝐑 in Seattle 🇸🇳🦁
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 1, 2026
Habib Diarra puts Senegal in the driver's seat 🚘
📺 Stream #FIFAWorldCup2026 on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/kothA12llK
Belgium showed more intent and intensity through the remainder of the first half, but created no clear chances with which to test Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw.
The start of the second half saw the Red Devils swap out Charles De Ketelaere for Romelu Lukaku in attack, but it was the West Africans who doubled their lead in the 51st minute.
Moussa Niakhate sent a raking diagonal pass from deep on the left to pick out Sarr, who controlled superbly on the chest before crashing the ball beyond Courtois for a 2-0 advantage – and his fourth goal of this World Cup.
Ismaïla Sarr 🇸🇳💥
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 1, 2026
He doubles Senegal's lead with a smashing goal 🔥
📺 Stream #FIFAWorldCup on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/ysFKLfJg3F
Belgium initially offered up little in response, with their only notably effort coming in the 78th minute when substitute Dodi Lukebakio cut inside from the right and fired off a shot which flashed just wide of the target.
However, the European side kept on plugging away and were rewarded with goal in the 86th minute when Lukaku swept home Thomas Meunier’s cross from the right.
And three minutes later the Red Devils levelled the game at 2-2, with Youri Tielemans beating Diaw to Leandro Trossard’s cross and heading home into an empty net – sending the game to an extra half hour of play.
Belgium force extra time in Seattle 🤯⏱️
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 1, 2026
📺 Stream #FIFAWorldCup on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc #SSFootball | #DStvFIFAWorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/7nULWeDDON
Blowing a two-goal lead will have you like 📸🤯
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 1, 2026
📺 Stream #FIFAWorldCup2026 on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/XzEXY4EZf0
The first half of extra time saw no real scoring chances created, while the second featured a close shave for Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye, who skewed a shot just wide of the mark in the 109th minute after good set up play from Bara Ndiaye.
Eight minutes later Belgium had a glaring chance to win the game when a ball fell kindly for Lukebakio in the penalty area, but his snap shot hit the top of the crossbar.
However, a VAR review for a possible penalty was called due to contact between Lamine Camara and Tielemans earlier in the move.
Referee Said Martinez looked at several replays before deciding to award a spot kick to Belgium.
Late drama as Belgium win a penalty deep into Extra Time🤯⏱️ #SSFootball | #DStvFIFAWorldCup2026 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/95MSGo6zcw
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 1, 2026
Tielemans took the penalty and struck home emphatically to seal an incredible but controversial 3-2 triumph.
Belgium will next face the United States or Bosnia and Herzegovina in a Round of 16 clash in Seattle on the Tuesday morning SA time (7 July, 02:00 CAT).
Belgium (0) (2) 3 (R. Lukaku 86’, Y. Tielemans 89’ 120+5’ pen)
Senegal (1) (2) 2 (H. Diarra 25’, I. Sarr 51’)
Belgium: T. Courtois, T. Castagne, B. Mechele, A. Theate, M. De Cuyper (T. Meunier 78’), Y. Tielemans, H. Vanaken (D. Moreira 63’), L. Trossard (A. Onana 109’), K. De Bruyne (N. Raskin 56’), J. Doku (D. Lukebakio 56’), C. De Ketelaere (R. Lukaku 46’)
Senegal: M. Diaw, K. Diatta, P. Ciss, M. Niakhate, I. Jakobs (M. Diouf 93’), H. Diarra (P.M. Sarr 73’), I. Gueye (B. Ndiaye 96’), P. Gueye (L. Camara 66’), I. Ndiaye (I. Mbaye 73’), I. Sarr, S. Mane (N. Jackson 93’)
--------------------------------
Where to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™
Fans can watch every FIFA World Cup 2026™ match live on DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Family and Access. All matches are also available to stream on supported packages, ensuring flexible viewing options wherever you are.
How to stream the FIFA World Cup 2026™
With DStv Stream, you can follow every match anytime, anywhere. Download the app and enjoy seamless live streaming on the go.