FIFA WC: Belgium stun Senegal with 83rd-min fightback, Tielemans seals it
Synopsis
Down 2-0 past the 85th minute, Belgium did the near-impossible at the FIFA World Cup in Seattle — a hydration-break pep talk from Rudi Garcia sparked a Lukaku-Tielemans blitz that forced extra time, and Tielemans' 125th-minute penalty finished the job. Belgium now face the United States for a quarterfinal spot.
Key Takeaways
Belgium came back from 2-0 down to beat Senegal at the FIFA World Cup in Seattle on 2 July .
Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans scored in the last five minutes to force extra time.
Tielemans converted a 125th-minute penalty to complete the comeback.
Manager Rudi Garcia credited a hydration-break team talk for reviving belief when Belgium were still 2-0 down in the 83rd minute .
Belgium face the United States in Seattle on Monday for a quarterfinal berth.
Belgium pulled off one of the most dramatic comebacks of the FIFA World Cup in Seattle on 2 July, overturning a 2-0 deficit in the final minutes to eliminate Senegal and advance to the round of 16. Manager Rudi Garcia admitted that belief was in short supply as late as the 83rd minute, but a brief conversation during a hydration break proved to be the turning point.
How the Comeback Unfolded
With the clock past the 85-minute mark and Belgium seemingly out of the contest, Romelu Lukaku pulled one back before Youri Tielemans equalised in the last five minutes to force extra time. The momentum never left Belgium from that point, and Tielemans converted a 125th-minute penalty to complete the turnaround and send his side through.
What Garcia Said at Full Time
'Football is full of emotions,' Garcia told the post-match news conference. 'In the 83rd minute it wasn't easy to believe we could come back. At the hydration break I told the players that if we scored another goal, anything was possible.'
He added: 'We did that and it opened the game up again. Both teams had opportunities in extra time, but the momentum was with us. We were well structured. This is a result that can make our group stronger.'
Garcia Lauds Senegal's Quality
The 62-year-old Frenchman was generous in his praise of the eliminated side. 'We played against an excellent Senegal side,' he said. 'It was the worst possible opponent for us in the round of 32. They have a lot of quality, they are fast and they pressed us very well. There were two excellent teams on the pitch today. Senegal would have deserved to reach the next round,' Garcia added.
Belgium's Road Ahead
Belgium now face the United States at the same venue in Seattle on Monday for a place in the quarterfinals. Garcia signalled that recovery is the immediate priority after a gruelling 120 minutes. 'We need to recover because 120 minutes is a lot on the legs,' he said. 'We saw the effects on the players at the end. Tonight we qualified for the round of 16 and now we'll see who we face. It doesn't matter. We're going to enjoy this victory and then prepare as well as we can.'
The result is Belgium's most dramatic win at this tournament and sets up a high-profile last-eight clash that will test their recovery and tactical depth in equal measure.
Point of View
For their part, were arguably the better side for long stretches and exit the tournament with their reputation enhanced despite the elimination.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Belgium come back from 2-0 down against Senegal?
Belgium were 2-0 behind past the 85th minute before Romelu Lukaku pulled one back and Youri Tielemans equalised in the final minutes to force extra time. Tielemans then converted a 125th-minute penalty to complete the comeback and send Belgium through.
What did Rudi Garcia say about the hydration break?
Garcia said that at the hydration break he told his players that if they scored another goal, anything was possible. He credited that brief talk with reviving belief at a moment — the 83rd minute — when he himself admitted a comeback did not look feasible.
Who scored for Belgium against Senegal?
Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans scored during normal time to level the match at 2-2, and Tielemans added a 125th-minute penalty in extra time to give Belgium the victory.
Who do Belgium play next in the FIFA World Cup?
Belgium face the United States at the same venue in Seattle on Monday, with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.
What did Garcia say about Senegal after the match?
Garcia praised Senegal as an excellent side and said they were the worst possible opponent Belgium could have faced in the round of 32. He acknowledged that Senegal would have deserved to advance, calling it a contest between two excellent teams.
