Belgium stage stunning comeback to sink Senegal in extra time

What happened

Belgium spent much of the match trailing and under pressure, but the game flipped in the final minutes of regulation and again in extra time. Senegal looked set to advance after building a two-goal cushion, only for Belgium to keep forcing the pace until the decisive penalty at the end of extra time.

The result was shaped by a mix of resilience from Belgium and missed chances to close the match from Senegal. It also underscored how knockout football can change quickly when a favorite finds a late opening.

Why it matters

The comeback changes Belgium’s tournament outlook because it showed a level of composure and persistence that had not always been obvious in the group stage. For Senegal, the defeat is painful because the performance suggested they could compete with one of Europe’s stronger sides for long stretches.

What next

Belgium now moves on with momentum and a high-profile win that could strengthen belief in the squad. Senegal’s next questions will likely focus on how they manage late-game control and convert strong performances into results in knockout matches.