Youri Tielemans’ nerveless penalty sealed a 3-3 draw as Belgium stunned Senegal in a record-breaking 124 minutes of World Cup action.
Image: The Guardian
Youri Tielemans’ nerveless penalty sealed a 3-3 draw as Belgium stunned Senegal in a record-breaking 124 minutes of World Cup action.
The Red Devils trailed 2-0 at halftime, but a blistering second-half turnaround saw them level the scores through Dodi Lukebakio and Michy Batshuayi, only for Senegal to retake the lead through Ismaila Sarr and Bamba Dieng. Yet, Belgium refused to yield, and Tielemans’ penalty sealed their spot in the last 16, where they’ll face the USA on Monday.
This thrilling encounter marked the latest match in World Cup history, eclipsing the 123 minutes and 57 seconds of Chile’s 1-0 win over Switzerland in 2010. Senegal’s players, though, were left to ponder what might have been, as they departed the field in the aftermath of Tielemans’ decisive penalty, their faces etched with a mixture of frustration and despair.
A visibly shaken Lamine Kamara, the Senegalese midfielder who had struck a crucial blow in the buildup to Tielemans’ penalty, was seen in tears at the final whistle. His teammates, too, were visibly distraught, as the enormity of their loss began to sink in.
Belgium, meanwhile, will look to continue their momentum in the last 16. On Monday, they’ll face a tough test against the USA in a matchup that promises to be an early highlight of the tournament. With the Americans boasting a potent attacking unit and a solid defensive core, the Belgians will need to be at their best if they hope to make it to the quarterfinals.
As the World Cup hurtles towards its business end, fans are left to wonder what’s next for both Belgium and Senegal. Will the Red Devils prove to be a dark horse in the tournament, or will they fall by the wayside against the USA? And what of Senegal, who had seemed destined for a first-ever World Cup semifinal appearance? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: this thrilling tie will be remembered long after the final whistle blows.
What are the chances of Belgium advancing to the quarterfinals after reaching the last 16?
How many minutes did the match between Belgium and Senegal last to be decided in the penalty shootout?
Key Takeaways
Image: The Guardian
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BelgiumSenegalYouri TielemansDodi LukebakioMichy BatshuayiIsmaila SarrLamine KamaraFIFA World Cup
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