Senegal's heartbreaking exit from World Cup 2026 after late Belgium comeback and VAR controversy

In a dramatic World Cup 2026 match on Friday, Senegal suffered a devastating exit as Belgium mounted a stunning comeback to win 3-2. Senegal led 2-0 with just minutes left, but Belgium's late surge, sparked by Romelu Lukaku, turned the game around. The match concluded with a controversial penalty awarded to Belgium, sealing Senegal's fate.

Belgium's Remarkable Comeback

Belgium's resurgence in the match was nothing short of remarkable. After trailing 2-0, the team, led by manager Rudi Garcia, demonstrated resilience and determination. Lukaku's flicked goal in the 86th minute ignited hope for Belgium, followed by Youri Tielemans equalizing just three minutes later. This marked a significant moment in World Cup history, as no team had previously come back from two goals down so late in a match.

“Senegal were better than Belgium for 70 minutes. Then Lukaku came on and changed the momentum,” said former England striker Dion Dublin, reflecting on the pivotal role Lukaku played in the match. The comeback was solidified in extra time when Tielemans scored a penalty, marking the latest goal in World Cup history at 124 minutes and 44 seconds.

Controversial VAR Decision

The match's climax was marred by controversy surrounding the penalty awarded to Belgium. The decision followed a lengthy VAR review of a challenge by Senegal's Lamine Camara on Tielemans. Critics, including former England defender Gary Neville, expressed doubts about the penalty's validity. “I genuinely don’t believe that is a penalty,” he stated, highlighting the contentious nature of the referee's decision.

Roy Keane echoed similar sentiments, stating, “The penalty is a bit harsh and the referee took so long to look at the screen.” The delay in decision-making left many questioning the integrity of the officiating and reignited memories of Senegal's earlier disappointment in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Senegal's Painful Exit

Senegal's manager, Pape Thiaw, expressed his team's heartbreak after the loss. “We must congratulate the team, who gave it their all, but unfortunately we weren’t able to hold on to our two-goal lead. We have to accept this. That’s football,” he remarked. The defeat was particularly painful for Senegal, who had already faced setbacks this year, including being stripped of their Africa Cup of Nations title.

Despite the loss, Senegal showcased their potential and skill throughout the tournament. Their 2-0 lead against a formidable opponent like Belgium highlighted their capabilities on the world stage. As they reflect on this heartbreaking exit, the team will look to build on their performance for future competitions.