World Cup 2026: We lacked character – Senegal star Krépin Diatta after late Belgium comeback win

Senegal international Krépin Diatta has expressed deep disappointment after suffering elimination from the 2026 World Cup tournament at the hands of Belgium.

The West African powerhouse blew away their two-goal lead as the Red Devils staged a strong comeback to secure a 3-2 victory after extra-time to progress to the round 16 of the tournament, being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The Lions of Teranga appeared on course for a famous victory after leading for 85 minutes, but a late surge from the Red Devils turned the game on its head, ending Senegal’s World Cup journey in heartbreaking fashion.

After the match, Diatta expressed his frustration, stressing his outfit lacked character to secure victory at the expense of Belgium.

“We shouldn’t have lost that match at that moment. The team lacked character. In the final minutes, we had to give it our all; even if it meant getting stuck in to win the challenges, we had to do it. There are things we need to review. We fell short. There are no excuses. The people deserve better.”

Despite the disappointment, Diatta’s remarks also highlight a sense of accountability within the Senegal camp, as players begin to reflect on how a strong position turned into an early exit from the competition.

The defeat marks a painful end to Senegal’s World Cup campaign, one that had raised hopes of another deep run on the global stage.

Attention will now turn to rebuilding and addressing the mistakes that cost them progression, as the Teranga Lions look to regroup ahead of future international competitions.