Senegal's dramatic World Cup exit: Latest comeback, controversy

Senegal's World Cup campaign ended in dramatic fashion as they squandered a two-goal lead against Belgium in the last 32, eventually losing 3-2 after extra time. The match featured the latest comeback in World Cup history and a controversial penalty decision that left the African side devastated.

Senegal's early dominance

Senegal started strongly and took control of the match. Habib Diarra opened the scoring in the first half, and Ismaila Sarr doubled the lead early in the second. With only four minutes of normal time remaining, Senegal appeared to be cruising into the last 16. Manager Pape Thiaw's side had outplayed the 2018 semi-finalists for most of the game.

"Senegal were better than Belgium for 70 minutes," former England striker Dion Dublin told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Belgium's historic comeback

Romelu Lukaku, who had played only 69 minutes of club football all season, sparked Belgium's revival in the 86th minute. The 33-year-old striker flicked home Thomas Meunier's cross to give his side hope. Three minutes later, Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw failed to deal with Leandro Trossard's cross, and captain Youri Tielemans rose highest to head into an empty net, forcing extra time.

Belgium's comeback was unprecedented: it was the latest any team had trailed by two or more goals in regulation time and gone on to avoid defeat at a World Cup. The feat matched their own 2018 comeback against Japan, when they also trailed 2-0 before winning 3-2. Germany are the only other side to achieve this, against Hungary in 1954 and England in 1970.

"In football, anything is always possible as long as you believe in it," Belgium manager Rudi Garcia said after the match.

Controversial penalty decides tie

The decisive moment came deep into extra time. With 125 minutes on the clock, referee Ivan Barton awarded Belgium a penalty after a video assistant referee (VAR) review. Lamine Camara was judged to have fouled Tielemans inside the area. Tielemans converted the spot kick, scoring at 124 minutes 44 seconds — the latest goal in World Cup history.

The decision sparked debate. Former England defender Gary Neville told ITV: "I genuinely don't believe that is a penalty." Roy Keane added: "The penalty is a bit harsh and the referee took so long to look at the screen. You want conviction in the referee's decision and he was hesitating for a long time."

For Senegal, the scenes evoked painful memories of the Africa Cup of Nations final in January, when Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty after a VAR check on El Hadji Malick Diouf's challenge on Brahim Diaz.

Heartbreak for Senegal

The defeat condemned Senegal to further agony, having already endured the pain of being stripped of their Africa Cup of Nations title earlier this year. "Football is just crazy. I couldn't call any of this game," Dublin said.

Senegal's exit was remarkable for its late drama, controversy, and historical significance. As Roy Keane put it on ITV, they "found a way to lose the game" after leading comfortably.