Belgium Complete Stunning Comeback to Crush Senegal’s World Cup Dream as DR Congo Bow Out

Belgium snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with an astonishing late comeback to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time, booking a place in the Round of 16 in one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament.

Senegal appeared destined for a famous upset after taking a commanding 2-0 lead through Diarra in the 24th minute and Sarr in the 51st minute, leaving Belgium staring at a shock World Cup exit.

With just five minutes of normal time remaining, the West Africans were on the verge of sealing one of the biggest results of the competition before disaster struck.

Romelu Lukaku ignited Belgium’s fightback in the 86th minute, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Barely three minutes later, Youri Tielemans capitalised on a costly error by Senegal’s goalkeeper, who misjudged the ball, to level the scores at 2-2 and force extra time.

The dramatic collapse left Senegal reeling after surrendering a two-goal advantage in the closing stages.

Just as the contest looked destined for penalties, Belgium were awarded a stoppage-time penalty in the 120th minute. Tielemans kept his composure to convert from the spot in the 120+5th minute, completing a sensational turnaround and sealing a 3-2 victory.

The result sends Belgium into the Round of 16, while Senegal are left to reflect on a painful defeat after coming within minutes of one of the greatest victories in their World Cup history.

For the Senegalese players and supporters, the loss will linger for a long time, having watched a dream qualification slip away in the cruellest fashion after leading comfortably until the closing moments of the match.

In a related development, DR Congo’s fairytale run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup also came to a heartbreaking end after a 2-1 defeat to England eliminated the Leopards from the competition.

Despite a spirited display and a series of outstanding saves from goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi Nzau, DR Congo were unable to withstand England’s late surge as Harry Kane struck twice to complete a comeback victory and send the Three Lions into the next round.

Although the defeat was painful, DR Congo can take immense pride in what they achieved during only their second-ever FIFA World Cup campaign. Reaching the Round of 32 remains a significant milestone and provides a solid foundation for future tournaments.

The Congolese exceeded the expectations of many football followers, displayed remarkable resilience throughout the competition, and demonstrated that they have the quality and determination to compete with the world’s elite on football’s biggest stage. Their campaign may have ended in disappointment, but it also marked the emergence of a team capable of achieving even greater success in the years ahead.

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