Senegal 2 – 3 Belgium

WORLDCUP · July 1, 2026 · Final

🎧 Post-Game Report (audio)

Post-Game Recap

Belgium edged Senegal three goals to two in a World Cup thriller that went right down to the wire on the first of July. This one had everything — neither side willing to give an inch, and the stats back that up: nineteen shots apiece, five on goal each, and identical save totals at three a side. It was as close as football gets on paper, but Belgium found a way to make the difference count when it mattered.

Ismaïla Sarr was Senegal's engine throughout, leading all players with five total shots, and the Lions looked dangerous every time they pushed forward. But Belgium had answers, and they had Brandon Mechele. The defender was everywhere tonight — one hundred twenty-two accurate passes to keep possession ticking and fourteen defensive interventions to shut down whatever Senegal tried to build. He was the spine of this Belgian side.

Up front, Youri Tielemans drove four shots at goal and that persistent pressure eventually told. Thibaut Courtois made three saves to hold things together when Senegal came hunting an equalizer late, and Belgium's discipline — just twelve fouls conceded compared to Senegal's twenty-two — showed a side that knew exactly how to manage a lead.

Belgium came into this World Cup with expectations, and tonight they proved they can grind out a result when the pressure is real. That's your post-game report. Sports Desk, signing off.

AI-generated post-game report composed from the official play-by-play and box score.

Complete Play-by-Play

Show all 151 plays

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

First Half begins.

Foul by Youri Tielemans (Belgium). 7'

Sadio Mané (Senegal) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 7'

Attempt saved. Leandro Trossard (Belgium) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Mory Diaw (Senegal). Assisted by Timothy Castagne. 9'

Foul by Arthur Theate (Belgium). 10'

Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 10'

Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal) hits the right post with a right footed shot from very close range. 13'

Attempt missed. Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right. 13'

Foul by Timothy Castagne (Belgium). 13'

Sadio Mané (Senegal) wins a free kick on the left wing. 13'

Attempt saved. Idrissa Gueye (Senegal) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Thibaut Courtois (Belgium). 17'

Attempt missed. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Youri Tielemans. 18'

Corner, Senegal. Conceded by Maxim De Cuyper. 19'

Offside, Senegal. Sadio Mané is caught offside. 20'

Foul by Youri Tielemans (Belgium). 21'

Habib Diarra (Senegal) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 21'

Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal) hits the right post with a header from the centre of the box. Assisted by Sadio Mané with a cross. 24'

Goal! Belgium 0, Senegal 1. Habib Diarra (Senegal) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. 24'

Delay in match for a drinks break. 27'

Delay over. They are ready to continue. 30'

Delay in match (Senegal). 31'

Delay over. They are ready to continue. 32'

Attempt saved. Sadio Mané (Senegal) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Thibaut Courtois (Belgium). Assisted by Habib Diarra. 36'

Foul by Leandro Trossard (Belgium). 38'

Pape Gueye (Senegal) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 38'

Foul by Maxim De Cuyper (Belgium). 41'

Krépin Diatta (Senegal) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 41'

Youri Tielemans (Belgium) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 42'

Foul by Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal). 42'

Hans Vanaken (Belgium) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 44'

Foul by Pape Gueye (Senegal). 44'

Corner, Belgium. Conceded by Pathé Ciss. 44'

Attempt saved. Maxim De Cuyper (Belgium) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner by Mory Diaw (Senegal). Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne. 45'

Corner, Belgium. Conceded by Mory Diaw. 45'

Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time. 45'

Attempt missed. Pape Gueye (Senegal) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Iliman Ndiaye. 45'+1'

Jérémy Doku (Belgium) wins a free kick on the right wing. 45'+3'

Foul by Pape Gueye (Senegal). 45'+3'

Jérémy Doku (Belgium) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 45'+4'

Foul by Sadio Mané (Senegal). 45'+4'

Attempt blocked. Maxim De Cuyper (Belgium) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 45'+5'

Attempt missed. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. 45'+6'

First Half ends, Belgium 0, Senegal 1. 45'+6'

Substitution, Belgium. Romelu Lukaku replaces Charles De Ketelaere. 45'

Second Half begins Belgium 0, Senegal 1. 45'

Attempt blocked. Pape Gueye (Senegal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Sadio Mané. 46'

Attempt missed. Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. 46'

Jérémy Doku (Belgium) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 48'

Foul by Sadio Mané (Senegal). 48'

Leandro Trossard (Belgium) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 48'

Foul by Krépin Diatta (Senegal). 48'

Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal) wins a free kick on the right wing. 50'

Foul by Maxim De Cuyper (Belgium). 50'

Attempt missed. Habib Diarra (Senegal) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Sadio Mané. 51'

Goal! Belgium 0, Senegal 2. Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Moussa Niakhaté with a through ball. 51'

Foul by Youri Tielemans (Belgium). 53'

Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 53'

Jérémy Doku (Belgium) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 54'

Foul by Ismail Jakobs (Senegal). 54'

Hans Vanaken (Belgium) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 55'

Foul by Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal). 55'

Substitution, Belgium. Dodi Lukébakio replaces Jérémy Doku. 56'

Substitution, Belgium. Nicolas Raskin replaces Kevin De Bruyne. 56'

Attempt missed. Brandon Mechele (Belgium) header from the right side of the six yard box is too high. Assisted by Timothy Castagne. 56'

Foul by Nicolas Raskin (Belgium). 58'

Krépin Diatta (Senegal) wins a free kick on the right wing. 58'

Attempt blocked. Dodi Lukébakio (Belgium) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Leandro Trossard. 60'

Attempt blocked. Youri Tielemans (Belgium) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is blocked. Assisted by Romelu Lukaku. 60'

Corner, Belgium. Conceded by Moussa Niakhaté. 60'

Attempt missed. Dodi Lukébakio (Belgium) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Romelu Lukaku. 62'

Foul by Krépin Diatta (Senegal). 62'

Leandro Trossard (Belgium) wins a free kick on the left wing. 62'

Substitution, Belgium. Diego Moreira replaces Hans Vanaken. 63'

Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 64'

Foul by Brandon Mechele (Belgium). 64'

Brandon Mechele (Belgium) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 64'

Offside, Belgium. Romelu Lukaku is caught offside. 65'

Substitution, Senegal. Lamine Camara replaces Pape Gueye. 66'

Foul by Lamine Camara (Senegal). 67'

Leandro Trossard (Belgium) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 67'

Lamine Camara (Senegal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 67'

Delay in match for a drinks break. 70'

Delay over. They are ready to continue. 72'

Substitution, Senegal. Ibrahim Mbaye replaces Iliman Ndiaye. 73'

Substitution, Senegal. Pape Matar Sarr replaces Habib Diarra. 73'

Sadio Mané (Senegal) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 76'

Foul by Youri Tielemans (Belgium). 76'

Attempt blocked. Arthur Theate (Belgium) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Brandon Mechele. 77'

Attempt missed. Dodi Lukébakio (Belgium) left footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Brandon Mechele. 78'

Substitution, Belgium. Thomas Meunier replaces Maxim De Cuyper. 78'

Sadio Mané (Senegal) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 79'

Foul by Thomas Meunier (Belgium). 79'

Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal) wins a free kick on the right wing. 80'

Foul by Timothy Castagne (Belgium). 80'

Attempt missed. Timothy Castagne (Belgium) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Dodi Lukébakio with a cross. 83'

Attempt missed. Youri Tielemans (Belgium) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Leandro Trossard. 84'

Offside, Senegal. Sadio Mané is caught offside. 84'

Goal! Belgium 1, Senegal 2. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Thomas Meunier with a cross. 86'

Attempt missed. Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Ismaïla Sarr with a through ball. 88'

Goal! Belgium 2, Senegal 2. Youri Tielemans (Belgium) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Leandro Trossard. 89'

Fourth official has announced 7 minutes of added time. 90'

Corner, Belgium. Conceded by Lamine Camara. 90'+2'

Attempt missed. Thomas Meunier (Belgium) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right following a corner. 90'+3'

Mory Diaw (Senegal) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90'+3'

Foul by Brandon Mechele (Belgium). 90'+3'

Offside, Belgium. Diego Moreira is caught offside. 90'+4'

Attempt missed. Idrissa Gueye (Senegal) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ibrahim Mbaye. 90'+6'

Second Half ends, Belgium 2, Senegal 2. 90'+8'

First Half Extra Time begins Belgium 2, Senegal 2. 90'

Krépin Diatta (Senegal) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 93'

Foul by Timothy Castagne (Belgium). 93'

Substitution, Senegal. Nicolas Jackson replaces Sadio Mané. 94'

Substitution, Senegal. El Hadji Malick Diouf replaces Ismail Jakobs. 94'

Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 95'

Foul by Timothy Castagne (Belgium). 95'

Substitution, Senegal. Bara Sapoko Ndiaye replaces Idrissa Gueye. 96'

Handball by Thomas Meunier (Belgium). 97'

Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Senegal) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 99'

Foul by Diego Moreira (Belgium). 99'

Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 101'

Foul by Thomas Meunier (Belgium). 101'

Attempt blocked. Leandro Trossard (Belgium) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Arthur Theate. 104'

Fourth official has announced 0 minutes of added time. 105'

First Half Extra Time ends, Belgium 2, Senegal 2. 105'+1'

Second Half Extra Time begins Belgium 2, Senegal 2. 105'

Attempt missed. Nicolas Raskin (Belgium) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Thomas Meunier with a cross. 107'

Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Senegal) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 107'

Foul by Nicolas Raskin (Belgium). 107'

Attempt missed. Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Bara Sapoko Ndiaye. 109'

Substitution, Belgium. Amadou Onana replaces Leandro Trossard. 109'

Foul by Krépin Diatta (Senegal). 110'

Diego Moreira (Belgium) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 110'

Delay in match because of an injury Diego Moreira (Belgium). 110'

Delay over. They are ready to continue. 111'

Attempt saved. Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Senegal) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Thibaut Courtois (Belgium). Assisted by Ismaïla Sarr. 113'

Corner, Senegal. Conceded by Arthur Theate. 114'

Penalty conceded by Lamine Camara (Senegal) after a foul in the penalty area. 117'

Penalty Belgium. Youri Tielemans draws a foul in the penalty area. 117'

VAR Decision: Penalty Belgium. 120'

Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time. 120'

Goal! Belgium 3, Senegal 2. Youri Tielemans (Belgium) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top right corner. 120'+5'

Attempt missed. Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Moussa Niakhaté. 120'+7'

Krépin Diatta (Senegal) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 120'+9'

Foul by Diego Moreira (Belgium). 120'+9'

Attempt blocked. Pathé Ciss (Senegal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ibrahim Mbaye. 120'+11'

Attempt blocked. Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Pathé Ciss. 120'+11'

Handball by Nicolas Raskin (Belgium). 120'+11'

Attempt missed. Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right from a direct free kick. 120'+12'

Second Half Extra Time ends, Belgium 3, Senegal 2. 120'+12'

Match ends, Belgium 3, Senegal 2.