Controversial late penalty deals death blow to Senegal Belgium seal spot in round of 16 at World Cup

SEATTLE:

Down to their final last-gasp chances, Belgium came through with goals — three of them.

The Red Devils overturned a two-goal deficit with two goals in the final minutes of regulation time, and then added a third in the final seconds of extra time to somehow claw back into the game and beat Senegal 3-2 on Wednesday in the round of 32 at the World Cup.

Youri Tielemans scored the equalising goal in the 89th minute and then converted from the penalty spot in the fifth minute of stoppage time in extra time for the latest goal in World Cup history. He was fouled with only seconds to go and with a penalty shootout looming, and the referee awarded the spot kick after a video review.

“I do not want to interpret the decision. We all have different interpretations when it comes to awarding a penalty,” Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said. “I’d rather not comment, not interpreting the referee’s decision.”

Striker Romelu Lukaku, who leads his nation in goals, came off the bench to get Belgium back into the match by scoring in the 86th minute, setting the scene for Tielemans to force extra time.

“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 ... We must congratulate Belgium as they progress.”

Ismaïla Sarr scored his fourth goal of the World Cup, and one of the most beautiful of the tournament, to give Senegal a 2-0 lead in the 51st minute. He made a perfect first touch off his chest on a long ball from Moussa Niakhaté and then sent his shot past Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Senegal, who were without goalkeeper Édouard Mendy because of a knee injury, took the lead on Habib Diarra’s goal in the 25th minute.

Courtois, who is playing in his fourth World Cup, then made three key saves to keep Senegal from increasing their lead.

It’s the second time this year Senegal have been hit with a late penalty in a big game.

“Well, when the penalty was awarded, we had our own interpretation. We believed that there was no penalty,” Thiaw said. “The players tried to challenge the decision. It’s their right. And, then the penalty was taken. And, this is why we were eliminated.”