Goals & Key Minutes
An absolute epic in Seattle saw one of the most stunning turnarounds in international football history, culminating in a dramatic extra-time conclusion:
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25th Minute (Goal): The African side translated early wing pressure into a deserved lead. After a booming cross hit the woodwork, Habib Diarra reacted quickest to the loose ball and side-footed it home from seven yards to make it 0-1.
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51st Minute (Goal): The underdogs doubled their advantage shortly after the break. Moussa Niakhate delivered a spectacular, sweeping long pass that Ismaïla Sarr beautifully brought down on his chest before blasting a thunderous strike past the keeper for 0-2.
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86th Minute (Goal): Out of nowhere, a tactical substitution sparked a lifeline. Veteran wing-back Thomas Meunier fizzed a dangerous low cross into the near post, where substitute Romelu Lukaku smartly turned it into the net to pull one back at 1-2.
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89th Minute (Goal): The stadium erupted as the European side equalized just three minutes later. Leandro Trossard floated a dangerous, deep ball into the penalty area, and an arriving Youri Tielemans powered home a definitive header to make it 2-2 and force extra time.
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125th Minute (Goal): With a penalty shootout looming in the final moments of extra time, drama reached its peak. Following a formal video assistant referee review for a sliding challenge in the box, a penalty kick was awarded. Youri Tielemans stepped up under immense pressure and smashed the ball into the top corner to complete a miraculous 3-2 victory.
Tournament Impact
The breathtaking escape act secures progression in the single-elimination knockout phase:
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Belgium: Overturns a two-goal deficit late in regulation to pull off a historic escape act, safely booking their ticket to the Round of 16 where they will stay in Seattle to face either the United States or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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Senegal: Suffers a heartbreaking, cruel elimination after controlling the vast majority of the 90 minutes and hitting the woodwork twice, missing out on a historic place in the next round.