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Senegal squander two-goal lead as Tielemans steals the show for Belgium

By Paul Myers - RFI
Sports News Youri Tielemans scored Belgiums second and third goals as his side came from 0-2 down to beat Senegal 3-2. - Getty Images via AFP - ALEX GRIMM
THU, 02 JUL 2026
Youri Tielemans scored Belgium's second and third goals as his side came from 0-2 down to beat Senegal 3-2. - Getty Images via AFP - ALEX GRIMM

Habib Diarra swept in Senegal's first goal mid way through the first-half at theSeattle Stadium.

The 22-year-old reacted fastest to slot the ball into the net past Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after Ismaila Sarr's header bounced off the right hand post.

Sarr doubled the advantage early in the second half with a scorcher of a goal.

He controlled the ball from a long pass on his chest, let the ball bounce and lashed his shot past Courtois.

 And Senegal controlled the game against a witless Belgium. 

Victory five minutes away

But Senegal imploded with victory in their grasp.
Romelu Lukaku halved the deficit in the 86th minute with his 93rd international goal and Tielemans nodded in the equaliser three minutes later after Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw misjudged a cross.

The tie appeared to be heading for a penalty shootout when Lamine Camara clipped Tielemans in the penalty area as they both stretched for the ball.

Last hurrah: Senegal's Sadio Mané

Referee Said Martinez checked with his video assistants and pointed to the penalty spot.

Tielemans swept the penalty into the top left hand corner of Diaw's goal to send Belgium into a last 16 showdown with either hosts United States or Bosnia and Herzegovia.

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