Belgium Stage Dramatic Comeback to Reach World Cup Last 16, USA Advance With 2-0 Victory

Priyanshu.J — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:27:25 +0530

At Seattle Stadium, Senegal appeared on course for a famous victory after taking control of the match with goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr. With just four minutes of normal time remaining, Belgium were still trailing 2-0 and staring at elimination.

Diarra opened the scoring in the 25th minute, giving Senegal an early advantage. The African side strengthened its position shortly after the break when Sarr collected a long pass from Moussa Niakhaté and finished clinically in the 51st minute. The goal was Sarr’s fourth of the tournament and further underlined his importance to Senegal’s campaign.

Belgium struggled to create clear opportunities for much of the contest, but the introduction of Romelu Lukaku changed the momentum. The veteran striker pulled one back in the 86th minute, igniting hopes of an unlikely recovery.

Just three minutes later, captain Youri Tielemans completed the comeback by firing home the equaliser, sending the match into extra time and silencing Senegal’s celebrations.

As the game moved toward a penalty shootout, controversy unfolded in the closing moments of extra time. In the 125th minute, referee intervention following a video review resulted in a penalty being awarded to Belgium after an incident involving Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara and Tielemans inside the penalty area.

The decision sparked immediate protests from Senegal’s players, who argued that the contact was insufficient for a penalty. Defender Pathé Ciss and several teammates surrounded the referee in frustration, but the decision stood.

Tielemans stepped up under immense pressure and converted the spot-kick, sealing a dramatic 3-2 victory and completing one of the greatest turnarounds of the tournament. The Belgian midfielder was later named Player of the Match for his decisive contribution.

Speaking after the match, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw expressed disappointment with the penalty decision, saying his side did not believe the incident warranted a spot-kick. However, the result confirmed Senegal’s exit from the competition.

Earlier in the day, the United States secured their place in the knockout stage with a disciplined 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

Folarin Balogun was the standout performer during the opening half. After seeing an earlier effort ruled out for offside, the striker finally broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time. He latched onto a precise through ball from Malik Tillman and calmly finished to hand the hosts a crucial lead before the break.

Balogun nearly doubled the advantage soon after, but his powerful strike crashed against the crossbar.

The match took another turn in the 64th minute when Balogun was shown a red card following a VAR review for a dangerous challenge on Tarik Muharemovic. Reduced to 10 men, the Americans were forced to defend deep while looking for opportunities on the counterattack.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, the hosts remained composed. In the 82nd minute, Tillman effectively sealed victory with a superb free-kick that flew directly into the net. Christian Pulisic had earlier seen a goal disallowed for offside, but the setback did not affect the final outcome.

The results set up an intriguing Round of 16 clash between Belgium and the United States, with both teams carrying momentum into the knockout phase after memorable victories.

Belgium have officially announced their 26-member squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with experienced stars Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois set to lead the team during the tournament in North America. The FIFA World Cup 2026 will begin on June 12 and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Belgium will enter the tournament hoping to win their maiden World Cup title after several strong campaigns over the past decade. Head coach Rudi Garcia has selected a balanced squad that combines experienced international stars with emerging young talent. Football experts believe Belgium could emerge as one of the tournament’s dark horses because of the quality and depth available across all departments. Belgium have been placed in Group G alongside Egypt, Iran and New Zealand. The team will begin its World Cup campaign against Egypt on June 16.

De Bruyne And Courtois To Lead Experienced Core

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne remains Belgium’s most influential playmaker and one of the senior leaders in the squad. Despite injury concerns in recent seasons, De Bruyne continues to be regarded as one of the world’s best midfielders because of his vision, passing ability and leadership qualities. Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also returns as a key figure in the squad. Courtois is expected to play a major role for Belgium due to his experience and consistent performances at the highest level of club football. Alongside them, experienced players such as Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans, Axel Witsel and Leandro Trossard provide stability and leadership to the squad. Belgium’s golden generation has come close to major success in previous tournaments, and many fans believe World Cup 2026 could be one of the final opportunities for several senior stars to lift an international trophy.

Matias Fernandez-Pardo Earns First National Team Call-Up

One of the biggest talking points in Belgium’s squad announcement is the inclusion of 21-year-old forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo for the first time. The Lille attacker has impressed with his performances in club football and has now been rewarded with a place in the national team. His selection had remained uncertain for several months after he acquired Spanish citizenship last year. Despite being eligible to represent Spain, Fernandez-Pardo reportedly expressed his desire to play for Belgium because of his close connections with Belgian players Thomas Meunier and Nathan Ngoy. Head coach Rudi Garcia ultimately decided to place his trust in the young attacker, viewing him as an exciting option for Belgium’s future. Football analysts believe Fernandez-Pardo could become one of the breakout stars of the tournament if given opportunities during the group stage.

Lois Openda Left Out After Difficult Season

Juventus striker Lois Openda has been excluded from Belgium’s final World Cup squad after struggling with form during the recent season. Openda reportedly failed to convince the coaching staff because of inconsistent performances and uncertainty surrounding his club future. Reports suggest that English club Leeds United is interested in signing him during the upcoming transfer window. Despite previously being considered an important attacking option for Belgium, Openda could not secure a place in the final 26-member squad. Goalkeeper Matz Sels has also been left out of the World Cup squad, which surprised some supporters considering his recent performances at club level.

Belgium Hoping To Improve On 2018 Performance

Belgium have participated in the FIFA World Cup 13 times in their history. Their best-ever performance came during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where they finished third. Led by Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku, Belgium defeated England in the third-place playoff to secure the bronze medal. That achievement remains the country’s greatest success in World Cup history. Before that, Belgium’s other notable performance came in the 1986 World Cup, where the team reached the semi-finals and eventually finished fourth. Although Belgium have consistently produced world-class players over the years, the nation is still waiting for its first FIFA World Cup title.

Balanced Squad Across All Departments

Belgium’s World Cup squad appears balanced with experienced defenders, technically strong midfielders and pacey attacking players. The defensive unit includes Timothy Castagne, Arthur Theate, Thomas Meunier and Brandon Mechele, while midfield responsibilities will largely depend on De Bruyne, Tielemans and Amadou Onana. In attack, Romelu Lukaku will once again lead the frontline alongside creative talents such as Jeremy Doku, Charles De Ketelaere and Leandro Trossard. The squad also reflects Belgium’s focus on transition, as several younger players have now started replacing members of the country’s famous golden generation.

Pressure On Coach Rudi Garcia

This World Cup will also be an important challenge for head coach Rudi Garcia, who is leading Belgium into a major international tournament for the first time. Belgian supporters have high expectations because of the quality available within the squad. The team’s recent performances in European competitions and qualifiers have shown promise, but consistency remains a concern. Garcia will need to ensure that experienced stars and younger players perform together effectively if Belgium hopes to make a deep run in the tournament. With a favorable group and several experienced international stars available, Belgium will enter FIFA World Cup 2026 aiming to finally convert potential into global success.

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Romelu Lukaku - Dainik Jagran English