by Craig Laycock
Original article:
Belgium 3 - 2 Senegal
Lukaku (86'), Tielemans (89', 120'+5 pen) | Diarra (25'), I. Sarr (51')
Senegal were just five minutes away from a 2-0 win before self-destructing against what appeared to be a weak Belgium aside.
But late in the game, Belgium unexpectedly fought their way back into the game from two goals down in the last 10 minutes of the 90, leading to extra time, where they were awarded a critical penalty, converting it with the last kick of the game to somehow complete a remarkable comeback.
Senegal looked strong throughout, while Belgium looked uninspiring as they struggled to find any key tactical ideas to beat their superior opponents. However, momentum shifted towards Belgium in the closing stages.
Senegal looked to dominate with direct attacking play from the off, keeping the Belgian defence very busy both out wide and in central areas. Belgium, meanwhile, looked a little lost, unsure what to do with or without the ball.
The pressure deservedly paid off in the 25th minute as Sadio Mane crossed a delicious ball into the box for Sarr to head against the post, with Habib Diarra there to collect and smash home the rebound.
Then, early in the second half Ismaila Sarr raced past the two advanced Belgian centre-backs, collected a ball on his chest and smashed it powerfully past the helpless Thibault Courtois.
Belgium then made a confusing tactical move at 2-0 down, withdrawing their best goal threat Doku from play, as well as playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, much to the confusion and dismay of fans in the stadium and around the world.
A good effort from range from Lukébakio could have crept into the top right of Diaw’s net on another day, but his shot ended up spinning just wide of the corner of the upright and crossbar.
As the game entered the final ten minutes, there seemed to be a sense of inevitability about Belgium’s exit.
A slight uptick in urgency, however, created an opportunity for Romelu Lukaku, which he took, smashing Meunier’s cross into the roof of the net. Game on.
And just two minutes later, Belgium somehow found themselves back in the game in fully undeserved fashion, after Leandro Trossard crossed it in, only for the Senegalese keeper to flap at it, leaving Youri Tielemans free to head it into an open net.
With the game in extra time, Belgium seemed to spring to life as they sensed momentum shifting their way. Lukaku went close to latching onto a long ball in the penalty area 10 minutes into the first ET period.
18 year old talent Ibrahim Mbaye almost won it for Senegal after a brilliant cross from Iliman Ndiaye, but he sliced his shot slightly wide of the far upright.
Belgium also had a golden opportunity to win it in the second period of ET, Lukébakio clattering one off the top of the crossbar.
But a foul in the box was caught by VAR as a Senegal player caught Tielemans’ leg, and after a long review the ref gave a penalty to Belgium, much to the consternation of Senegal who must have felt like the football gods were against them after their AFCON disaster.
Tielemans stepped up to take it, and with the last kick of the game scored to send Belgium through. An unbelievable turnaround, and Senegal only have themselves to blame for not putting the game to bed in normal time.
7 min read
Belgium 3 - 2 Senegal
Lukaku (86'), Tielemans (89', 120'+5 pen) | Diarra (25'), I. Sarr (51')
Senegal were just five minutes away from a 2-0 win before self-destructing against what appeared to be a weak Belgium aside.
But late in the game, Belgium unexpectedly fought their way back into the game from two goals down in the last 10 minutes of the 90, leading to extra time, where they were awarded a critical penalty, converting it with the last kick of the game to somehow complete a remarkable comeback.
Senegal looked strong throughout, while Belgium looked uninspiring as they struggled to find any key tactical ideas to beat their superior opponents. However, momentum shifted towards Belgium in the closing stages.
Senegal looked to dominate with direct attacking play from the off, keeping the Belgian defence very busy both out wide and in central areas. Belgium, meanwhile, looked a little lost, unsure what to do with or without the ball.
The pressure deservedly paid off in the 25th minute as Sadio Mane crossed a delicious ball into the box for Sarr to head against the post, with Habib Diarra there to collect and smash home the rebound.
Then, early in the second half Ismaila Sarr raced past the two advanced Belgian centre-backs, collected a ball on his chest and smashed it powerfully past the helpless Thibault Courtois.
Belgium then made a confusing tactical move at 2-0 down, withdrawing their best goal threat Doku from play, as well as playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, much to the confusion and dismay of fans in the stadium and around the world.
A good effort from range from Lukébakio could have crept into the top right of Diaw’s net on another day, but his shot ended up spinning just wide of the corner of the upright and crossbar.
As the game entered the final ten minutes, there seemed to be a sense of inevitability about Belgium’s exit.
A slight uptick in urgency, however, created an opportunity for Romelu Lukaku, which he took, smashing Meunier’s cross into the roof of the net. Game on.
And just two minutes later, Belgium somehow found themselves back in the game in fully undeserved fashion, after Leandro Trossard crossed it in, only for the Senegalese keeper to flap at it, leaving Youri Tielemans free to head it into an open net.
With the game in extra time, Belgium seemed to spring to life as they sensed momentum shifting their way. Lukaku went close to latching onto a long ball in the penalty area 10 minutes into the first ET period.
18 year old talent Ibrahim Mbaye almost won it for Senegal after a brilliant cross from Iliman Ndiaye, but he sliced his shot slightly wide of the far upright.
Belgium also had a golden opportunity to win it in the second period of ET, Lukébakio clattering one off the top of the crossbar.
But a foul in the box was caught by VAR as a Senegal player caught Tielemans’ leg, and after a long review the ref gave a penalty to Belgium, much to the consternation of Senegal who must have felt like the football gods were against them after their AFCON disaster.
Tielemans stepped up to take it, and with the last kick of the game scored to send Belgium through. An unbelievable turnaround, and Senegal only have themselves to blame for not putting the game to bed in normal time.
Last 32: Belgium's escape one of the all-time comebacks
Youri the man.
Original article:
Belgium 3 - 2 Senegal
Lukaku (86'), Tielemans (89', 120'+5 pen) | Diarra (25'), I. Sarr (51')
Senegal were just five minutes away from a 2-0 win before self-destructing against what appeared to be a weak Belgium aside.
But late in the game, Belgium unexpectedly fought their way back into the game from two goals down in the last 10 minutes of the 90, leading to extra time, where they were awarded a critical penalty, converting it with the last kick of the game to somehow complete a remarkable comeback.
Senegal looked strong throughout, while Belgium looked uninspiring as they struggled to find any key tactical ideas to beat their superior opponents. However, momentum shifted towards Belgium in the closing stages.
Senegal looked to dominate with direct attacking play from the off, keeping the Belgian defence very busy both out wide and in central areas. Belgium, meanwhile, looked a little lost, unsure what to do with or without the ball.
The pressure deservedly paid off in the 25th minute as Sadio Mane crossed a delicious ball into the box for Sarr to head against the post, with Habib Diarra there to collect and smash home the rebound.
Then, early in the second half Ismaila Sarr raced past the two advanced Belgian centre-backs, collected a ball on his chest and smashed it powerfully past the helpless Thibault Courtois.
Belgium then made a confusing tactical move at 2-0 down, withdrawing their best goal threat Doku from play, as well as playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, much to the confusion and dismay of fans in the stadium and around the world.
A good effort from range from Lukébakio could have crept into the top right of Diaw’s net on another day, but his shot ended up spinning just wide of the corner of the upright and crossbar.
As the game entered the final ten minutes, there seemed to be a sense of inevitability about Belgium’s exit.
A slight uptick in urgency, however, created an opportunity for Romelu Lukaku, which he took, smashing Meunier’s cross into the roof of the net. Game on.
And just two minutes later, Belgium somehow found themselves back in the game in fully undeserved fashion, after Leandro Trossard crossed it in, only for the Senegalese keeper to flap at it, leaving Youri Tielemans free to head it into an open net.
With the game in extra time, Belgium seemed to spring to life as they sensed momentum shifting their way. Lukaku went close to latching onto a long ball in the penalty area 10 minutes into the first ET period.
18 year old talent Ibrahim Mbaye almost won it for Senegal after a brilliant cross from Iliman Ndiaye, but he sliced his shot slightly wide of the far upright.
Belgium also had a golden opportunity to win it in the second period of ET, Lukébakio clattering one off the top of the crossbar.
But a foul in the box was caught by VAR as a Senegal player caught Tielemans’ leg, and after a long review the ref gave a penalty to Belgium, much to the consternation of Senegal who must have felt like the football gods were against them after their AFCON disaster.
Tielemans stepped up to take it, and with the last kick of the game scored to send Belgium through. An unbelievable turnaround, and Senegal only have themselves to blame for not putting the game to bed in normal time.
7 min read
Last 32: Belgium's escape one of the all-time comebacks
Youri the man.
Belgium 3 - 2 Senegal
Lukaku (86'), Tielemans (89', 120'+5 pen) | Diarra (25'), I. Sarr (51')
Senegal were just five minutes away from a 2-0 win before self-destructing against what appeared to be a weak Belgium aside.
But late in the game, Belgium unexpectedly fought their way back into the game from two goals down in the last 10 minutes of the 90, leading to extra time, where they were awarded a critical penalty, converting it with the last kick of the game to somehow complete a remarkable comeback.
Senegal looked strong throughout, while Belgium looked uninspiring as they struggled to find any key tactical ideas to beat their superior opponents. However, momentum shifted towards Belgium in the closing stages.
Senegal looked to dominate with direct attacking play from the off, keeping the Belgian defence very busy both out wide and in central areas. Belgium, meanwhile, looked a little lost, unsure what to do with or without the ball.
The pressure deservedly paid off in the 25th minute as Sadio Mane crossed a delicious ball into the box for Sarr to head against the post, with Habib Diarra there to collect and smash home the rebound.
Then, early in the second half Ismaila Sarr raced past the two advanced Belgian centre-backs, collected a ball on his chest and smashed it powerfully past the helpless Thibault Courtois.
Belgium then made a confusing tactical move at 2-0 down, withdrawing their best goal threat Doku from play, as well as playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, much to the confusion and dismay of fans in the stadium and around the world.
A good effort from range from Lukébakio could have crept into the top right of Diaw’s net on another day, but his shot ended up spinning just wide of the corner of the upright and crossbar.
As the game entered the final ten minutes, there seemed to be a sense of inevitability about Belgium’s exit.
A slight uptick in urgency, however, created an opportunity for Romelu Lukaku, which he took, smashing Meunier’s cross into the roof of the net. Game on.
And just two minutes later, Belgium somehow found themselves back in the game in fully undeserved fashion, after Leandro Trossard crossed it in, only for the Senegalese keeper to flap at it, leaving Youri Tielemans free to head it into an open net.
With the game in extra time, Belgium seemed to spring to life as they sensed momentum shifting their way. Lukaku went close to latching onto a long ball in the penalty area 10 minutes into the first ET period.
18 year old talent Ibrahim Mbaye almost won it for Senegal after a brilliant cross from Iliman Ndiaye, but he sliced his shot slightly wide of the far upright.
Belgium also had a golden opportunity to win it in the second period of ET, Lukébakio clattering one off the top of the crossbar.
But a foul in the box was caught by VAR as a Senegal player caught Tielemans’ leg, and after a long review the ref gave a penalty to Belgium, much to the consternation of Senegal who must have felt like the football gods were against them after their AFCON disaster.
Tielemans stepped up to take it, and with the last kick of the game scored to send Belgium through. An unbelievable turnaround, and Senegal only have themselves to blame for not putting the game to bed in normal time.
7 min read