Tielemans Converts the Latest Goal in World Cup History as Belgium Complete the Most Extraordinary Comeback of the Tournament

This cannot have been what Senegal had in mind.

For 86 minutes at Lumen Field in Seattle, the Lions of Teranga produced what looked for all the world like a controlled, professional, tournament-defining knockout performance — pressing with energy, defending with discipline, and executing clinical counter-attacks to build a 2-0 lead that Belgium, their two best players already removed, showed no signs of overturning. Four minutes later, the entire match had changed. Three minutes after that, extra time was required. And when the 125th minute arrived, Youri Tielemans stepped up to score the latest goal in FIFA World Cup history and send one of the tournament's most accomplished African sides home in devastating fashion.

Senegal's first goal came in the 25th minute when Habib Diarra pounced on a rebound after Ismaïla Sarr's header crashed back off the post — a moment that rewarded Senegal's patient pressing in the first half. Belgium manager Rudi Garcia brought on Romelu Lukaku at halftime, but it was Senegal who struck first in the second period. In the 51st minute, a stunning long pass from Moussa Niakhate was brilliantly controlled on the chest by Sarr, who held off two defenders before thundering the ball into the top-right corner — a moment of individual technique as good as anything seen at this World Cup. Belgium were 2-0 down and going home.

Garcia's most controversial decision came five minutes later, when he surprisingly withdrew both Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku at the 56th minute — a move that left Belgium without their two most creative players at the very moment they needed invention most. It looked, in the moment, like a white flag from the Belgian bench. De Bruyne, now 35, sat down with the expression of a man who feared he had just played his last World Cup game.

For the next 30 minutes, Belgium barely threatened. The clock ticked toward 86 minutes. Senegal's fans were already planning celebrations. Then everything changed in the space of three extraordinary minutes. Lukaku turned the ball in at the near post from Thomas Meunier's low cross to make it 2-1 in the 86th minute — Belgium's first shot on target in the entire match. The Senegalese defense, so solid for 85 minutes, suddenly looked panicked. Three minutes later, Leandro Trossard's delivery into the box was misjudged by goalkeeper Mory Diaw, and Tielemans headed a looping effort into the empty net — 2-2, the scoreboard as impossible as the Belgian celebration was ecstatic.

Extra time produced precious few genuine opportunities. Dodi Lukébakio rattled the crossbar late in extra time and penalties seemed inevitable before Lamine Camara's challenge on Tielemans triggered a VAR review that lasted over seven minutes — the longest review seen at this tournament. The referee went to the pitchside monitor and awarded the penalty. Senegal were furious, but the decision stood. Tielemans stepped up and slammed it into the top-right corner in the 125th minute to complete the comeback.

What's Next

Belgium face the USA in the Round of 16 on Monday, July 7 in Seattle — a rematch of their classic 2014 Round of 16, which Belgium won 2-1 in extra time. Senegal head home with their heads held high after a performance that had this game won until the final four minutes — undone only by the most improbable of endings.