When everyone thought that Senegal would go through, Belgium's "remontada" happened. With just five minutes left, Romelu Lukaku brought Belgium back into the game, and three minutes later, Tielemans scored for 2-2. Deep into extra time, a VAR decision settled the thriller.
Senegal controlled the contest for most of 90 minutes. Habib Diarra fired home a rebound in the 25th minute after Ismaïla Sarr struck the post from Sadio Mane's cross. Sarr then made it 2-0 in the 51st, chesting down a long ball from Moussa Niakhaté and beating Thibaut Courtois. It was his fourth goal of the tournament, level with Roger Milla's 1990 mark for an African player at a single World Cup.
With five minutes remaining Senegal looked bound for the last 16. Romelu Lukaku, on at half-time, turned in Thomas Meunier's cross in the 86th minute. Three minutes later Tielemans headed Leandro Trossard's delivery into the net to force extra time.
Deep into extra time, with a shootout looming, the referee awarded Belgium a penalty after a lengthy VAR review. Lamine Camara was ruled to have brought down Tielemans, who converted into the top corner. It was the latest goal in World Cup history.
Senegal's players protested. The decision split opinion online, where many argued the contact was insufficient. "Senegal robbed in broad daylight," one fan posted. Another wrote: "You can not give a penalty for that in the 122nd minute of a World Cup KO game."
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw declined to condemn the call directly. "I do not want to interpret the decision. We all have different interpretations when it comes to awarding a penalty," he said. He added that his players had every right to contest it: "We believed that there was no penalty. The players tried to challenge the decision. It's their right."
Rudi Garcia called it a "remontada". "Football is emotions; this evening we had plenty," the Belgium coach said.
The mood afterwards was raw. "It is a cruel loss, as we were good in the game," Thiaw said. "We had the advantage. We were leading 2-0. However a football match is not an 85-minute one. Belgium came back, and we were not able to deal with that."
Diarra was blunt about the collapse. "A match lasts 90 minutes, and we're devastated. It's very tough. I don't know what to say," the midfielder said. "We've only got ourselves to blame."
Defender Krépin Diatta framed the loss as a chance missed. "We were at the heart of writing the beautiful pages of the history of our football in this world," he said. "And, we have to accept that we failed at our mission." He also insisted Senegal should have closed the game out: "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."
Senegal exit the World Cup having reached the knockouts as one of the best third-placed sides. They lost to France and Norway in Group I before beating Iraq 5-0. Their only previous knockout win remains the 2002 victory over Sweden.
Belgium extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches. Their next challenge is next week, on Monday, in Seattle. They will meet the United States, which defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina.
