Belgium completed one of the greatest comeback wins in World Cup history as they recovered from 2-0 down late on against a stunned Senegal to complete a last-gasp 3-2 victory in extra time.

Trailing 2-0 on 86 minutes to fine finishes from Habib Diarra (25') and Ismaïla Sarr (51'), Rudi Garcia's side had been outplayed and out-thought with Senegal seemingly on the verge of the last 16.

But Belgium somehow managed to force the match to extra time as sub Romelu Lukaku tucked away Thomas Meunier's cross on 86 minutes before Youri Tielemans headed into the gaping net on 89 minutes from Leandro Trossard's cross, with goalkeeper Mory Diaw badly at fault in failing to gather the ball in.

The final act of an incredible contest saw Belgium, who saw Dodi Lukebakio clip the bar seconds earlier when he should have scored, awarded a penalty after Tielemans was deemed to have been felled by Lamine Camara.

Referee Saíd Martínez took over a minute at the screen before agreeing with the VAR after being sent to the monitor.

Tielemans coolly planted the penalty into the corner of the net as Diaw dived right to complete the astonishing victory, with Senegal somehow blowing a two-goal lead that they had richly deserved.

At 124 minutes and 44 seconds, it is the latest goal in World Cup history, and despite extra-time running for another eight minutes, Belgium. who had removed Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku early in the second half, held firm to prompt wild and unlikely scenes of celebration at the final whistle.

Belgium advance to a last-16 match with the USA, who defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0, on Monday in Seattle as Senegal are left to wonder how they managed to throw away their winning advantage so late in the match. (TNT Sports, 2026-07-02)