In a World Cup twist that will be etched in fans' minds forever, Youri Tielemans' 122nd-minute penalty sealed a dramatic Belgian comeback against Senegal, sending shockwaves through the stadium. The Aston Villa midfielder's cool-as-cucumber finish, awarded after a marathon VAR review, capped an epic turnaround for Rudi Garcia's side, who trailed 2-0 with just five minutes of regular time remaining.
It was a match that had the lot – heart-stopping drama, pulsating action, and controversy galore. The referee's decision to point to the spot deep into stoppage time in extra time sparked frenzied debate among Senegalese fans, who felt robbed of victory. But VAR official Guillermo Pacheco Larios stood firm, highlighting a crucial foul by Lamine Kamara on Tielemans' left ankle moments before Dodi Lukébakio's crossbar attempt. The spot-kick was awarded and, with it, Belgium's fate.
Belgium's late surge had begun in the final stages of normal time, when substitutes Romelu Lukaku and Tielemans scored within three minutes of each other to level the score at 2-2. Lukaku, introduced at half-time, nodded home a cross from Thomas Meunier, before Tielemans headed Leandro Trossard's delivery with aplomb.
Rudi Garcia's tactical masterstroke had shifted the momentum of the match, as he brought on Lukaku in place of Charles De Ketelaere and Dodi Lukébakio for Jérémy Doku. Nico Raskin's introduction also sparked a heated exchange between Tielemans and Trossard during a second-half drinks break – proof that Belgium were in it to win it.
But for all Senegal's attacking flair, Thibaut Courtois' crucial save from Sadio Mané's shot with six minutes of regular time remaining will be remembered as the turning point. It gave Belgium the chance to launch their late assault and ultimately secured a place in the next round – an epic reward for Rudi Garcia's men.