- Safiu Kehinde
Belgium has, in a dramatic fashion, come from behind to snatch the last 16 spot from Senegal as they recorded a 3-2 comeback victory over the African nation.
The Red Devil faced off with the Teranga Lions in a tense and entertaining Round of 32 match in Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington DC, on Wednesday.
While they were considered as the likely side to advance to the next round, Belgium however endured a sleepy start.
The Pape Thiaw-led Senegal put the Belgian fans at the edge of their seats early in the first half with multiple goalscoring chances.
Belgium’s sloppiness against the Senegalese attacking threat would eventually be punished in the 25th minute as Habib Diarra latched home a rebound from Belgian goalkeeper, Thiabaut Courtois, to put the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner into the lead.
The Senegalese defence effectively blunted the attacking threat of Belgium as talisman, Kevin DeBruyne, and Manchester City’s forward, Jeremy Doku, endured a cagey first-half.
Senegal held on to the 1-0 lead in a similar fashion witnessed during the match between their fellow African nation, DR Congo, and England.
However, unlike the Congelese who eventually lost their lead in the second half with Harry Kane’s brace knocking them out, the Senegalese doubled their lead in the 51st minute to further dent Belgium’s qualification.
A solo run towards a lob pass saw Crystal Palace’s forward, Ismaila Sarr, beat two Red Devils defenders before slotting the ball past Courtois at close range.
Senegal were 10 minutes away from securing the last 16 ticket until disaster struck, not once but twice, within the last five minutes before full time.
Second half sub and Belgium’s all-time goalscorer, Romelu Lukaku, pulled the first comeback string for the Red Devils with his 85th minute goal which reduced the deficit to 2-1.
This inspired the Belgian side as they threw all they had against Senegal.
Belgium finally came back into the game in the 88th minute as captain, Youri Tielesmans headed home a cross from Arsenal’s Leonard Trossard, who he had earlier had a heated argument with, to bring the game to 2-2.
This pushed the game into 30 minutes extra time, giving the Redd Devils a hope of qualification while the Teranga Lions were left stunned on how the last-minute goal deprived them of the last 16 ticket.
Both sides were at logger head almost all through both halves of the extra time until the defining moment in the 120th minute.
With seconds away before the game advanced into penalty shootout, Dodi Lukebakio, wasted what would have been a golden goal as he fired a low drive pass across the crossbar.
Meanwhile, a collision between the Red Devils captain, Tielesmans, and Senegal’s midfielder, Lamine Camara, during the build-up to the missed goal led to a penalty call.
Camara appeared to have caught Tielemans’ heel in the box 18 to set up a crucial penalty for Belgium.
After a lengthy review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the Senegalese fate was decided as the VAR awarded the penalty.
Tielesmans stepped up and sent the Senegalese goalkeeper the wrong way in a well converted spot kick to secure the last 16 ticket for Belgium.