LIVE UPDATES: Belgium 3-2 Senegal World Cup 2026 – Follow the action, the goals and the celebrations

Belgium complete the comeback to enter the Round of 16! 💪#FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 1, 2026

120+5’ GOAL! Youri Tielemans steps up under immense pressure and converts the penalty! He fires confidently into the net to complete Belgium’s dramatic turnaround, putting them ahead 3-2 in extra time!

120’ VAR OVERTURN! The referee initially waves play on after a penalty appeal, but after reviewing the incident, a penalty is awarded to Belgium for the foul inside the box.

117’ Huge drama! A Belgium player breaks into the box but is brought down by a defender. The referee initially says no penalty, but the situation is under review.

114’ Diego Moreira continues after recovering from a knock and is deemed fit to play on.

111’ Diego Moreira receives medical attention but looks set to continue.

107’ Play is briefly stopped as Diego Moreira picks up a knock and the medical staff rush onto the pitch.

106’ The second period of extra time is underway as both sides continue to battle for a decisive goal in this thrilling knockout encounter.

105+1’ The first period of extra time comes to an end, but there is still no separation between Senegal and Belgium in this dramatic contest.

101’ Thomas Meunier is penalised after a forceful challenge, with referee Said Martinez stopping play for a free kick to Senegal.

96’ Idrissa Gueye is replaced by Bara Sapoko Ndiaye as Senegal make a late change.

93’ Timothy Castagne is penalised for an offensive foul after a strong challenge, with the referee making a clear decision.

91’ Extra time begins in Seattle as the match remains finely poised after 2-2 at the end of regulation time.

90+8’ The referee blows the whistle to end the second half of normal time, sending this Round of 32 clash into extra time.

90+2’ Referee Said Martinez shows a yellow card to Rudi Garcia for unsportsmanlike behaviour after tempers flare late in the contest.

90’ Seven minutes of added time will be played at the end of the match.

89’ GOAL! Youri Tielemans equalises for Belgium in dramatic fashion! Leandro Trossard delivers a perfect cross into the box and Tielemans rises highest to power a close-range header into the left side of the goal. Mory Diaw is left with no chance as Belgium make it 2-2!

88’ Ibrahim Mbaye attempts a shot at goal, but his effort flies well wide of the right-hand post.

86’ GOAL! Romelu Lukaku gives Belgium hope late in the game! The striker fires his effort into the back of the net to reduce the deficit as Senegal’s lead is cut to 2-1.

85’ Sadio Mane is caught offside after attempting to break in behind the Belgian defence.

82’ Ismail Jakobs swings a dangerous free-kick cross into the penalty area, but a Belgian defender reacts first to clear the danger.

80’ We are into the final 10 minutes of this Round of 32 encounter. Senegal remain in control, but Belgium are still searching for a route back into the game.

78’ Substitution for Belgium as Maxim De Cuyper leaves the pitch and Thomas Meunier comes on.

78’ Dodi Lukebakio gets a huge chance from the edge of the box, but his powerful effort flashes narrowly wide of the left post.

73’ Senegal make another change as Iliman Ndiaye is replaced by Ibrahim Mbaye.

66’ Pape Bouna Thiaw makes a tactical change with Pape Gueye making way for Lamine Camara.

63’ Belgium make a substitution as Hans Vanaken is replaced by Diego Moreira.

56’ Double substitution for Belgium as Rudi Garcia reshuffles his side. Kevin De Bruyne makes way for Nicolas Raskin, while Jeremy Doku is replaced by Dodi Lukebakio.

51’ GOAL! Ismaila Sarr doubles Senegal’s lead with a clinical finish! Moussa Niakhate delivers a superb lofted cross into the penalty area and Sarr reacts brilliantly, firing a quick shot inside the right post with the goalkeeper left helpless. Senegal now lead Belgium 2-0!

46’ Substitution for Belgium at the start of the second half as Rudi Garcia introduces Romelu Lukaku in place of Charles De Ketelaere.

46’ The second half is underway after the half-time break.

45’ Five additional minutes will be played at the end of the first half.

45’ Maxim De Cuyper finds space on the edge of the box and unleashes a powerful strike towards the right side of the goal, but Mory Diaw produces a brilliant two-handed save to deny Belgium. The Red Devils win a corner.

44’ Pape Gueye is penalised after pulling the shirt of an opposition player.

41’ Referee Said Martinez blows for a foul after Maxim De Cuyper loses control during an attacking move and makes an aggressive challenge.

37’ Sadio Mane takes an excellent touch inside the penalty area before firing a low shot towards goal, but the goalkeeper reacts well to make the save.

35’ Kevin De Bruyne attempts to slide a dangerous pass through the defence, but Senegal cut it out.

31’ A fan has invaded the pitch, forcing the match to be temporarily interrupted.

27’ A cooling break is underway as players pause for fluids in the Seattle heat.

25’ GOAL! Habib Diarra reacts quickest inside the penalty area and slots the rebound into an empty net from close range after the ball ricochets off a defender. Senegal take a 1-0 lead against Belgium!

25’ Ismaila Sarr rises to meet a cross inside the six-yard box, but his header crashes against the right post. Belgium survive for only a moment before Senegal capitalise on the rebound.

21’ Youri Tielemans is penalised for holding as referee Said Martinez awards Senegal a set piece.

19’ Krepin Diatta attempts to slide a pass through to a teammate, but a defender blocks it behind for a Senegal corner.

17’ Idrissa Gueye finds space on the edge of the box and takes a shot at goal, but it goes straight down the middle and Thibaut Courtois makes a comfortable save.

13’ Ismaila Sarr pounces on a rebound inside the box and fires narrowly wide of the right post. A huge chance for Senegal!

13’ Ismail Jakobs delivers another dangerous cross into the area, but Courtois reads it well and intercepts.

12’ Ismail Jakobs launches a long throw into the penalty area, causing problems for the Belgian defence.

10’ Kevin De Bruyne whips a dangerous cross into the box, but Senegal manage to clear the danger.

9’ Leandro Trossard strikes first time from just outside the area, but the goalkeeper reacts well to make the save.

9’ Charles De Ketelaere drives forward on a solo run but is eventually stopped by the Senegal defence.

7’ Youri Tielemans is penalised for a foul after bringing down an opponent.

6’ Leandro Trossard wastes a promising opportunity as his pass into the penalty area is blocked by the Senegal defence.

3’ The ball is cleared after Jeremy Doku attempts to dribble past an opposing player.

2’ A cross from Sadio Mane fails to reach the penalty box as Belgium clear the danger away.

1’ Kick-off! The World Cup clash between Senegal and Belgium is officially underway.

Referee Said Martinez is the man in charge of today’s contest.

The players are out on the pitch and Belgium get the match started with the opening kick.

🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Senegal XI in the World Cup Round of 32 vs. Belgium! 🇸🇳💫 pic.twitter.com/u94aGFqCnw

— Muh'd Adam Mai-jama'a🗣️ (@Maijamaa222) July 1, 2026

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Belgium vs Senegal

بلجيكا vs السنغال #FIFA_World_Cup_2026 pic.twitter.com/IcdABZuG1d

— رؤى (@ci3xii) July 1, 2026

The match between Belgium and Senegal is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 GMT as both nations prepare for a crucial World Cup knockout showdown in Seattle.

Kick-Off Time

Senegal have seen five of their last six matches produce over 3.5 goals, while ten of their last 12 goals have arrived after the break.

Belgium averaged seven shots on target per game during the group stage and have conceded just one second-half goal across their last six matches.

Key Stats Ahead of Kick-Off

Belgium have traditionally performed well against African opponents on the world stage, while Senegal are aiming to end a difficult run against European sides in World Cup competition.

This fixture marks the first-ever senior international meeting between Senegal and Belgium at the FIFA World Cup.

First-Ever Meeting Between Both Nations

Senegal will now look to rewrite history by overcoming a European nation in the knockout stages of the World Cup.

The Lions of Teranga have been involved in several entertaining and high-scoring games during the tournament, showing attacking quality particularly in the second half of matches. However, defensive concerns remain after conceding heavily against European opposition earlier in the competition.

Senegal’s route to the knockout stage followed a remarkably similar pattern. The African side failed to win their opening two group matches before producing a powerful response in their final outing, scoring five goals against a ten-man Iraq side to squeeze into the next round as one of the best third-placed teams.

Senegal Looking to Continue Their Momentum

Belgium have also shown consistency against African opposition in recent years and will believe their experience can make the difference in this high-pressure contest.

The result extended their impressive unbeaten run and highlighted a team that appear.

That performance not only secured qualification but also became Belgium’s biggest-ever win at a FIFA World Cup.

The Red Devils looked in danger of an early exit after failing to win either of their opening two matches, but they responded in emphatic style with a commanding 5-1 victory over New Zealand on matchday three.

Belgium head into this encounter with renewed confidence after finishing top of Group G in dramatic fashion.

Belgium Finding Form at the Right Time

Welcome to Africasoccer’s live blog of the World Cup 2026 knockout clash between Senegal and Belgium, with both nations battling for a place in the next round of the competition.