SEATTLE — Senegal were minutes from a place in the round of 16 before Belgium overturned a two-goal deficit and won 3-2 in a World Cup match that changed sharply at the end.
For 85 minutes, Senegal controlled the match and held a 2-goal lead. Within 5 minutes, Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans had scored to pull Belgium level before Tielemans converted a penalty near the end of extra time.
The result sent the Lions of Teranga out of the World Cup after they had put themselves in position to become the second African team in the tournament to reach the round of 16. Morocco had already advanced after beating the Netherlands in a penalty shootout.
“We were at the heart of writing the beautiful pages of the history of our football in this world,” Krépin Diatta said. “And, we have to accept that we failed at our mission.”
Senegal had reached the knockout phase as one of the best third-place finishers after losing to France and Norway and beating Iraq. Against Belgium, they looked capable of extending that run until Lukaku’s late goal shifted the match and gave Belgium a way back.
Habib Diarra described the dressing-room feeling plainly: “We’re disappointed. We had a good first half, but it wasn’t enough. A match lasts 90 minutes, and we’re devastated. It’s very tough. I don’t know what to say. When you’re on the pitch, you have to give your all, and that’s not what we did. We’ve only got ourselves to blame.”
Senegal’s players protested the late penalty decision, but it stood. Diatta credited Belgium for finishing the comeback while making clear that Senegal believed the collapse was avoidable.
“They did the job and they proved they can come back,” Diatta said. “I think the problem was our side. We had to win this game. These kinds of tight games in the box, we have to give everything and not give them a chance.”