Senegal's tragedy, Senegal's suicide: Belgium make incredible comeback and advance after extra-time thriller

Instead of Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, the Senegalese will be sleepless in Seattle tonight.

Tonight, it feels like William Shakespeare is Senegalese and has just written one of his greatest tragedies, with the Lions of Teranga as the main protagonists and Seattle as the setting.

Pape Thiaw’s men were on the verge of advancing to the World Cup Round of 16. They were 2-0 up, thanks to Habib Diarra’s 25th-minute opener and Ismaila Sarr’s 51st-minute beauty, and had their rivals, Belgium, on the ropes until the dying minutes, but then… The Red Devils massive comeback or Senegal’s unbelievable “suicide” - whatever you call what happened tonight at Lumen Field, you won’t make a mistake.

In the span of three minutes, in the 86th and 89th, Belgium equalized through Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans, forcing extra time. After 30 minutes of a snoozefest, many expected the penalties to decide the game. However, instead of the penalty shoot-out, one penalty kick made the difference.

Lamine Camara brought Tielemans down in the box deep in extra-time added time, and the VAR room reacted, awarding Belgium a chance to record a colossal triumph. Tielemans didn’t miss it.

So, as of tomorrow, the Belgians will prepare for the Round of 16 clash against either the USA or Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the Senegalese will be packing their bags and kicking themselves. They have plenty to regret.

More shots, better chances, and game control throughout most of the first half - one team was in charge of the match. Surprisingly, it was Senegal.

Surprisingly, because Belgium are still a squad with better individuals, and especially because the Lions of Teranga barely made it to the knockout phase.

Nevertheless, Pape Thiaw's men came out with more intent. In the 13th minute, Ismaila Sarr hit the post after Thibaut Courtois' poor reaction, but couldn't put the rebound into the net.

Leopards may be stronger than Three Lions - but not than "monster" called Harry Kane!

Twelve minutes later, the Crystal Palace forward experienced a deja vu, hitting the woodwork once again. However, this time, Habib Diarra was there to bury the rebound and put Senegal in front.

The African team thus earned an advantage it firmly held at the break, as Belgium's only chance came in the dying minutes of the first period when Maxim De Cuyper's long-range strike was parried behind for a corner by the Senegal keeper Mory Diaw, who filled in for the injured Edouard Mendy.

Realizing that things didn't look to bright for his side without Romelu Lukaku, Rudi Garcia subbed on the powerful striker at halftime for Charles De Ketelaere, hoping that the veteran could turn the tables and lead the Red Devils to the win.

Nevertheless, the situation from the 51st minute showed that Belgium's problem was the attack, but the defence. Moussa Niakhate sent a fantastic long ball from his own half, Ismaila Sarr beat the lousy offside trap, received the ball superbly, and smashed it into the net, doubling Senegal's lead!

When Garcia subbed off Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku just 11 minutes into the second half, it was evident that the game had slipped away from him, as those changes weren't a promising sign for the Belgians.

Sign No. 2 was a fierce argument between the captain Youri Tielemans and Leandro Trossard ahead of the hydration break, which looked close to boiling over.

However, Thiaw's men became complacent too early...

In the 86th minute, the two Garcia's subs, Thomas Meunier and Romelu Lukaku pulled one back thanks to the ex-Manchester United striker, giving Belgium a ray of hope. When Tielemans equalized - to Trossard's assist! Who remembers the fight now? - with a header between two Senegalese defenders and a keeper Diaw three minutes later, the delight and excitement quickly turned into panic among the Lions of Teranga, as they were forced to play extra time with their confidence shattered.

The additional 30 minutes brought little excitement. Apart from the four substitutions, a half-chance for Ibrahim Mbaye and Lukebakio's effort clipping the crossbar, nothing notable happened, as both teams seemed to have resigned themselves to penalties deciding it.

However, instead of the penalties deciding the winner, one penalty did it - one spot kick for Belgium after Lamine Camara recklessly brought Tielemans down in the box.

Tielemans himself took responsibility and didn't miss the chance to send his team through and complete Senegal's tragedy in Seattle.

WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Round of 32

Sunday

South Africa - Canada 0-1 (0-0)

/Eustaquio 90+2/

Monday

Brazil - Japan 2-1 (0-1)

/Casemiro 56, Martinelli 90+5 - Sano 29/

Germany - Paraguay 3-4 on penalties (0-1)

/Havertz 54 - Enciso 42/

Tuesday

Netherlands - Morocco 2-3 on penalties (1-1)

/Gakpo 72 - Diop 90+1/

Ivory Coast - Norway 1-2 (0-1)

/Diallo 74 - Nusa 39, Haaland 86/

France - Sweden 3-0 (1-0)

/Mbappe 45, 74 Barcola 53/

Wednesday

Mexico - Ecuador 2-0 (2-0)

/Quinones 22, Jimenez 31/

England - DR Congo 2-1 (0-1)

/Kane 75, 86 - Cipenga 7/

Belgium - Senegal 3-2 a.e.t. (2-2)

/Lukaku 86, Tielemans 89, 120+5 pen - Diarra 25, Sarr I. 51/

Thursday

03.00: (1.43) USA (4.60) B&H (8.50)

22.00: (1.32) Spain (5.25) Austria (10.0)

Friday

02.00: (1.95) Portugal (3.40) Croatia (4.10)

06.00: (1.95) Switzerland (3.45) Algeria (4.00)

21.00: (3.15) Australia (2.95) Egypt (2.55)

Saturday

01.00: (1.17) Argentina (7.50) Cape Verde (16.0)

04.30: (1.70) Colombia (3.60) Ghana (5.50)

***odds are subject to change***