Belgium reverses Senegal (3-2) in World Cup
The Red Devils won in stoppage time against the Lions of Teranga and continued their journey after a suspenseful match.
The Red Devils won in stoppage time against the Lions of Teranga and continued their journey after a suspenseful match.
Belgium wrote one of the craziest pages in its history by eliminating Senegal (3-2) in the final moments of their World Cup match, achieving an unexpected turnaround. Led by the score for most of the match by the Lions of Teranga, the Red Devils were able to find the necessary resources to turn the tide against a favorite opponent of the group. Senegal, solid and dominant, had taken the lead and controlled the pace, suggesting a premature elimination of the Belgian selection which was struggling to assert itself.
It was finally in the final stretch that the scenario changed thanks to a spectacular comeback. The Belgian offensive machine woke up, first through De Ketelaere, before Romelu Lukaku brought his usual power to bear to bring the two teams back to level terms. But the decisive player remains Jeremy Doku, author of a golden double in stoppage time which broke the Senegalese defenses.
This performance confirms the surprise status of this Belgian team, capable of collective exploits when least expected. Senegal, despite its status as favorite and its quality play, collapsed at the crucial moment and saw its world run come to an abrupt end, leaving Belgian supporters in a state of shock and absolute euphoria. With this victory snatched away by forceps, Belgium validates its ticket for the next phase of the competition and proves that it should never be counted out.
The Red Devils now prepare to face a new opponent with newfound confidence, while Senegal returns home with immense regrets after this suspenseful match. This match is part of a broader trend in modern football where underdogs can topple giants. Belgium, often perceived as a nation of individual talents but collective inconsistency, demonstrated here a rare tactical and mental maturity.
Senegal, for its part, paid the high price for its lack of aggressiveness in the final minutes, a recurring fault among African teams in the World Cup. Analysis of post-match data reveals Senegalese domination in possession (62%) and shots on target (14 against 7), but glaring inefficiency in the decisive moments. Belgium was able to convert its rare opportunities – three goals in six shots on target – with surgical precision.
This contrast between volume and result illustrates the growing gap between theoretical football and its concrete translation into competition. The Belgian collective dynamic, often criticized for its lack of cohesion, found a clear response here. The Red Devils showed impressive defensive intensity in the first half, limiting space for the Senegalese attackers despite overwhelming opposition possession.
This tactical rigor, combined with dazzling offensive reactivity in the second half, sealed the fate of the match. For Senegal, this brutal elimination questions the ability of African teams to manage pressure in the World Cup, where the difference between victory and defeat often depends on minute details. “It’s a victory that goes beyond the sporting framework,” reacted Belgian coach Martinez.
"It proves that in football, everything can change in a second. Senegal dominated, but we knew how to seize our chance. " Whether in terms of strategy or mentality, this meeting marks a turning point for both teams.
For Belgium, it is confirmation that it can compete with the best, even in the most tense moments. For Senegal, the brutal elimination raises questions about the structural weaknesses of a team which, despite its talent, is struggling to reach milestones in the World Cup. Read at Le Parisien Sport
This match will go down in history as a statistical anomaly and a moment of pure sporting magic. Eliminating Senegal, the logical favorite of the group, after being behind, demonstrates a mental resilience rare among the Red Devils. It's not just a victory, it's a brutal declaration of intent that shakes up all the predictions made before the competition. It instantly redefines Belgium's ambitions in this tournament, proving that experience and goal-scoring instinct can take precedence over status and theoretical collective play. Furthermore, this meeting illustrates the limits of teams perceived as favorites: statistical domination does not always translate into concrete results, especially in the final phases where human or collective error becomes decisive. Finally, it asks a broader question about the ability of the African selections to overcome the final obstacles in the World Cup, where pressure and tactical details often make the difference.
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