Belgium kept their World Cup hopes alive in breathtaking fashion after recovering from a two-goal deficit to defeat Senegal 3-2 after extra time in one of the tournament’s most dramatic knockout encounters.

The decisive moment came in the closing seconds of extra time when Youri Tielemans calmly converted a penalty awarded after a VAR review ruled that Senegal’s Lamine Camara had fouled him inside the area. The midfielder blasted the spot-kick into the top corner to seal Belgium’s remarkable turnaround.

Senegal looked destined for a place in the last 16 after first-half goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr handed the African side a commanding advantage.

Diarra opened the scoring after reacting quickest to a rebound when Sadio Mane’s cross created confusion in Belgium’s penalty area. Shortly after the restart, Sarr doubled the lead with an excellent individual effort, controlling a long pass before powering his finish beyond Thibaut Courtois.

Despite struggling for much of the contest, Belgium mounted a late fightback. Romelu Lukaku ignited hopes with a close-range finish before Tielemans headed home the equaliser just minutes later, capitalising on a delivery from Leandro Trossard after goalkeeper Mory Diaw misjudged his attempt to claim the ball.

With the scores level, the match went into extra time, where both teams searched for a winner. Deep into stoppage time, VAR intervened after Camara brought down Tielemans in the penalty area, giving Belgium one final opportunity to complete the comeback.

Tielemans made no mistake from the spot, sending Belgium into the last 16, where they will face the winner of the clash between co-hosts the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

For Senegal, the defeat was a heartbreaking end to a match they had largely controlled. The Lions of Teranga also struck the woodwork twice and became the fourth African nation to exit the tournament in the round of 32 after failing to protect their two-goal cushion.