Belgium Complete Stunning Comeback to Eliminate Senegal 3-2
Senegal were dumped out of the World Cup by Belgium in heartbreaking fashion, collapsing from 2-0 up late on to lose 3-2 after extra time and concede a place in the Round of 16.
The Lions of Teranga looked in control for most of the match. Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra broke the deadlock in the 24th minute, and Olympique Lyonnais defender Moussa Niakhate launched a long pass in the 51st minute for Ismaila Sarr to race clear and fire past Thibaut Courtois to make it 2-0.
Belgium sparked their revival with four minutes of normal time left. Thomas Meunier’s cut-back found Lois Openda in the penalty area, and he slotted home to pull one back. A minute later, Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy misjudged Leandro Trossard’s cross and Youri Tielemans nodded in the equaliser.
The drama wasn’t over. Deep into the 120th minute, Belgium were awarded a penalty and Tielemans stepped up to convert, sending Belgium through and leaving Senegal stunned.
There was a silver lining for Senegal. Sarr’s goal made him only the second African player ever to score four goals in a single World Cup, after Cameroon’s Roger Milla in 1990.
The defeat also wrote unwanted history. Senegal became the first team in World Cup history to be eliminated after leading by two goals in the 85th minute. It was also their fifth straight World Cup loss to European opposition, conceding three goals in each of the last four.
Krepin Diatta did not hide his frustration. “We shouldn’t have lost that match at that moment. The team lacked character. In the final minutes, we had to give everything; even if it meant putting our foot in everywhere to win the duels, we had to do it. There are things that need to be reviewed. We failed. There is no excuse. The people deserve better.”
Head coach Pape Thiaw admitted Senegal retreated too far. “We had the match in hand, winning 2-0, and then we backed off a little towards the end; we wanted to hold onto the score. Once we conceded 2-1, we retreated even more and they scored their second goal. It wasn’t easy; we tried to lift their spirits and bring more energy to the team. It’s not easy because they gave it their all; we wanted to qualify for the people.”
Belgium now move on to the Round of 16, while Senegal are left to reflect on a collapse they will struggle to forget.