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| FIFA world cup 2026/photo/Getty images |
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw described football as “a cruel game” after watching his team squander a two-goal lead and suffer a dramatic 3-2 extra-time defeat to Belgium in the World Cup round of 32 on Wednesday.
Senegal appeared firmly in control with just five minutes of normal time remaining before Belgium staged an astonishing comeback, scoring twice in the closing stages to force extra time before captain Youri Tielemans converted the winning penalty late in the additional period.
The defeat ended Senegal’s World Cup campaign despite the African side dominating much of the match and holding what looked to be an unassailable advantage.
The decisive moment came after a lengthy video review awarded Belgium a penalty for Lamine Camara’s sliding challenge on Tielemans during extra time, a decision that provoked angry protests from several Senegal players.
“We believed that there was no penalty,” Thiaw told reporters after the match. “The players tried to challenge the decision. It’s their right.”
“And then the penalty was taken, and this is the reason why we are now eliminated.”
The controversial decision added another chapter to a turbulent year for Senegal.
The Lions of Teranga arrived at the World Cup after being stripped of their Africa Cup of Nations title following their protest during January’s final against Morocco. Senegal briefly walked off the field after disputing a penalty decision before eventually returning to complete the match, which they won 1-0 after Morocco failed to convert the spot kick.
Despite the disappointment surrounding Wednesday’s defeat, Thiaw acknowledged that Senegal had allowed the match to slip away after establishing complete control.
“It was our game to lose with a 2-0 lead in the 85th minute,” he said. “However, a football match is not an 85-minute one. Belgium came back, and we were not able to deal with that.”
Defender Krepin Diatta echoed his coach’s frustration, admitting Senegal lost concentration precisely when Belgium began to build momentum.
“We were determined to write some beautiful pages in the history of our football in this World Cup, and we have to accept that we failed in this mission,” Diatta said.
“Given what we offered, we shouldn’t have lost this match.” he added.
Belgium’s comeback denied Senegal what would have been one of the country’s most memorable victories on the World Cup stage and instead sent the Europeans through to the last 16.Belgium will next face either the United States or Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Senegal departs the tournament left to reflect on a match that appeared won before slipping away in dramatic fashion.