With a miraculous 3-2 victory, Belgium officially qualified for the round of 16, where they will face the winner of the United States–Bosnia and Herzegovina match, bringing down the curtain on one of the most frenzied and thrilling matches in World Cup history. The Red Devils snatched their passage through from the jaws of their Senegalese counterparts, denying the Teranga Lions a historic win and qualification that had been within their grasp during regulation time.
After Senegal had imposed total dominance and taken a clean two-goal lead through Habib Diarra (25') and Ismaïla Sarr (50'), everyone believed the Teranga Lions' passage was sealed. But Belgium's sudden fightback turned the tables with two goals in quick succession from Romelu Lukaku (85') and Youri Tielemans (88'), sending the contest into extra time.
The drama reached its peak when the referee awarded Belgium a penalty after a review by VAR, which confirmed that Camara had fouled Youri Tielemans — just 3 minutes before the end of the second period of extra time. Tielemans converted in the 120th minute, scoring the decisive third goal that ended the match's dramatic arc to the astonishment of the crowd in the stands.
From the outset Senegal asserted their attacking superiority, and although Belgium threatened early through a Trossard shot in the 9th minute, Senegal responded quickly with a ball from Ismaïla Sarr that struck the post. The Teranga Lions continued their technical and physical dominance until the pressure was converted into the opening goal by Habib Diarra, who followed up a rebound off the post to slot it into the net. The Senegalese tightened their grip on proceedings, with Belgium's threat limited to isolated efforts from Jérémy Doku that foundered against the brilliance of goalkeeper Diaw, as the first half ended with a deserved one-goal lead for Senegal.
Senegal maintained their advantage in the second half — after two dangerous attempts from Ndiaye, Ismaïla Sarr extended the lead with a superb second goal, bringing the ball down on his chest and calmly slotting it into the net. Belgium, meanwhile, continued to look disjointed and fragmented, with the exception of a dangerous shot from substitute Dodi that passed just wide of the post.
In the final 5 minutes, the Belgians ignited a frenzied comeback, scoring two goals in quick succession within 2 minutes through Lukaku and Youri Tielemans and nearly snatching the win amid Senegalese defensive confusion, as regulation time ended 2-2 and the two sides headed to extra time.
In extra time, Senegal appeared affected by conceding the two equalizers, with their physical and mental output declining, which gave Belgium their opportunity. Buoyed by the momentum shift, Belgium launched wave after wave of attacks that produced a penalty in the final minute of the second period of extra time, from which Tielemans scored the precious qualifying goal.