07/01/26 08:43:00
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07/01 20:42 CDT Belgium comes back from two goals down to beat Senegal 3-2 in
extra time at World Cup
Belgium comes back from two goals down to beat Senegal 3-2 in extra time at
World Cup
By ANDREW DESTIN
AP Sports Writer
SEATTLE (AP) --- Belgium overturned a two-goal deficit and scored from the
penalty spot deep into extra time to beat Senegal 3-2 on Wednesday in the
biggest comeback of the World Cup so far.
Senegal held a 2-0 lead with just 5 minutes of regulation time remaining but
late goals by Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans pushed the round of 32 match
into extra time.
Tielemans completed Belgium's comeback by converting a penalty in the 125th
minute of the game -- the latest goal in World Cup history.
"Being part of this comeback is a proud moment because I scored the last two
goals to give the team the win today. I'm very proud of that to be able to help
the team to score goals and bring us over the line," Tielemans said.
He was fouled with only seconds to go and with a penalty shootout looming, and
the referee awarded the spot kick after a video review, ignoring protests from
the Senegal team.
"I do not want to interpret the decision. We all have different interpretations
when it comes to awarding a penalty," Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said. "I'd
rather not comment, not interpreting the referee's decision."
The win for Belgium marked the second time in the last 11 World Cups that a
team trailed by two or more goals in the knockout round and advanced. Belgium
also did so in a 3-2 victory over Japan in the round of 16 at the 2018
tournament.
"Senegal deserved to win," Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said. "But, I am happy it
was us."
Many of the key players from the Belgium team that finished in third place in
Russia in 2018 were instrumental to Wednesday's victory. Lukaku, who leads his
nation in goals scored, came off the bench to get Belgium back into the match
by scoring in the 86th minute, setting the scene for Tielemans to force extra
time.
"It is a cruel loss, as we were good in the game," Thiaw said. "We had the
advantage. We were leading 2-0. However a football match is not an 85-minute
one. Belgium came back, and we were not able to deal with that ... We must
congratulate Belgium as they progress."
Belgium is back in the round of 16 for the third time in four tournaments. The
team reached the quarterfinals in 2014 and the semifinals in 2018 but failed to
get out of the group stage four years ago in Qatar.
The Belgians will next face either the United States or Bosnia-Herzegovina on
Monday in Seattle.
Senegal long appeared to be heading toward the round of 16. Habib Diarra scored
in the first half and Ismala Sarr made it 2-0 at the start of the second. It
was his fourth goal of the World Cup, and one of the most beautiful of the
tournament. Sarr made a perfect first touch off his chest on a long ball from
Moussa Niakhat and then sent his shot past Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Courtois, who was playing in his fourth World Cup, then made three key saves to
keep Senegal from increasing its lead.
Senegal defender Krpin Diatta said Belgium should not have been allowed to get
back into the game.
"It shouldn't have happened. You have to defend your box and you have to be the
boss of your box," he said. "We suffered, but we have to go on. It's a pity."
Lukaku said Belgium showed character with its late comeback.
"This Senegal side is one of the best teams in the tournament," he said.
"Technically, physically and tactically, it was really tough. But when we
stepped up the intensity of our pressing, when we were there for the second
ball, our team spirit shone through and we won the match."
Senegal headed to the World Cup as the second-highest ranking team in Africa,
behind Morocco. It won a chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final on Jan. 18 against
Morocco, but the result was overturned by the governing body of African soccer
because Thiaw had temporarily pulled his players off the pitch.
Senegal advanced to the World Cup knockout phase as one of the best third-place
finishers after losing to France and Norway and beating Iraq.
"It's the best African nation. It's as simple as that," Garcia said. "They
showed that even against France, they dominated in the first half. They came
out of a difficult group. I would have preferred not to play against them."
___
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