Belgium has advanced to the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America after a dramatic comeback victory against Senegal.

In the Round of 32 match held at Seattle Stadium in Washington, U.S., on July 2 (KST), Belgium drew 2-2 with Senegal after 90 minutes of regulation and extra time. The team ultimately secured a 3-2 win thanks to a decisive penalty kick by Youri Tielemans in the second half of extra time.

Belgium, which achieved its best-ever World Cup finish of third place in 2018, was eliminated in the group stage of the previous 2022 Qatar tournament. However, the team has now successfully advanced to the knockout stage and won its first match.

During the group stage of this tournament, Belgium faced the risk of a second consecutive early exit after draws against Egypt (1-1) and Iran (0-0). The team secured a spot in the Round of 32 as the top team in Group G after a 5-1 rout of New Zealand in the third match, and has now secured a place in the Round of 16 with this thrilling comeback.

Belgium will face the winner of the match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on July 7 to compete for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Notably, Belgium previously overcame a 0-2 deficit to win 3-2 against Japan in the Round of 16 at the 2018 Russia World Cup by scoring three goals in the second half. Eight years later, the team has once again turned a 0-2 deficit into a 3-2 victory.


Senegal, whose best World Cup performance was reaching the quarterfinals in 2002, aimed to reach the Round of 16 for the second consecutive time following the Qatar tournament four years ago, but fell just short.

Senegal took the initiative early on.

In the 24th minute, Ismaila Sarr's header hit the right goalpost and bounced back. As Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois dove for the initial shot, Mamadou Habib Diarra capitalized on the open net to score the opening goal.

Senegal, holding a one-goal lead at halftime, extended it to 2-0 in the 6th minute of the second half with a goal from Sarr.

Belgium, which replaced starting forward Charles De Ketelaere with veteran striker Romelu Lukaku at halftime, made a bold move in the 11th minute of the second half by substituting out star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and winger Jeremy Doku.

Although they continued to press, Belgium struggled to find the back of the net until the 41st minute of the second half, when they finally scored a goal to narrow the deficit.

Thomas Meunier connected with a cutback from the right side of the penalty area after a loose ball, and Lukaku rushed in to finish with his right foot.

Lukaku, Belgium's all-time leading scorer, netted his 92nd goal in his 130th international appearance.


With momentum on their side, Belgium dramatically leveled the score just three minutes later when Tielemans headed in a cross from Leandro Trossard, pushing the match into extra time.

In extra time, where the score remained deadlocked until the final moments, a penalty kick decided the outcome.

Belgium missed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 12th minute of the second half of extra time when Dodi Lukebakio's right-footed shot hit the crossbar.

However, a review of the play by the referee confirmed that Tielemans had been fouled by Senegal's Lamine Camara during the cross, resulting in a penalty kick.

While many expected Lukaku to take the penalty, captain Tielemans, the scorer of the equalizer, stepped up. He successfully deceived goalkeeper Mory Diaw and fired a right-footed shot into the net, bringing the intense battle to an end.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)