Why Belgium was awarded late, game-winning penalty in comeback win over Senegal at the World Cup

Belgium have struggled throughout much of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, plodding to low-scoring draws with both Egypt and Iran before a final-round victory over lowly New Zealand saw them top their group and qualify for the knockout round.

Those struggles continued as they faced reigning AFCON finalists Senegal, who found themselves 2-0 up 50 minutes into the match while also keeping a lid on the fading European attack.

Then the game changed with the introduction of striker Romelu Lukaku. Head coach Rudi Garcia made the bold decision to take off Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku, with Lukaku and Dodi Lukebakio entering in their place.

The move paid off. Lukaku struck Belgium’s first goal in the 86th minute, and Youri Tielemans added the equalizer three minutes later. As the game went to extra time, Belgium pushed for a winner and found it just seconds before the match would have gone to a penalty shootout.

The Sporting News explains the referee’s decision to award Belgium a late penalty, which they converted to seal victory from the jaws of defeat and break Senegal’s hearts in the process.

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Why Belgium was awarded game-winning penalty vs Senegal?

In the final minute of extra time, the 120th minute of the match, Belgium were pushing for a winner but had come up empty just a minute earlier.

Then, a cross from the right by substitute Diego Moreira was met by Youri Tielemans, who was making a late run into the penalty area. Lamine Camara arrived with a sliding challenge from behind and caught Tielemans, bringing the Aston Villa midfielder down.

Initially, the referee did not award a foul, but an overhead angle showed Tielemans was clipped on the side of the foot and taken out by the challenge. Tielemans appeared to go down somewhat easily, but the contact was enough to constitute a foul on review.

VAR recommended a pitchside review, and Honduran referee Héctor Said Martínez Sorto ultimately agreed with his assistant, awarding Belgium a penalty.

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PENALTY AWARDED TO BELGIUM LATE IN EXTRA TIME 😱 pic.twitter.com/8F8WToJ4zZ

Who scored game-winning penalty for Belgium?

The game-winning penalty for Belgium was scored by Youri Tielemans, who scored his second goal of the game.

It was a pinpoint penalty, as he buried the ball in the upper right-hand corner of the net. Coming in the 125th minute, it was the latest penalty ever scored at the FIFA World Cup.

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Tielemans had initially struck from open play in the 89th minute when he scored the equalizing goal for Belgium.

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Who does Belgium play next?

Belgium will play the winner of the United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 16, as those two sides meet later Wednesday evening in their knockout match.

If they draw the USMNT, it would set up a rematch of the iconic 2014 Round of 16 clash, when Tim Howard set a World Cup record for saves in a match, but a late miss from U.S. striker Chris Wondolowski sent the game to extra time. Belgium eventually prevailed 2-1 after goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku sealed their place in the quarterfinals.