By Kede Aihie
Senegal came out firing and ran Belgium ragged for 85 minutes.
Habib Diarra gave the Lions of Teranga a deserved lead in Seattle with a slick, purposeful finish. They played with swagger, tempo, and control, while Belgium looked lost and second to everything.
Then came the twist.
With 5 minutes left, Leandro Trossard drilled a low cross from the left that dragged keeper Diaw off his line. Romelu Lukaku pounced in the 86th minute to make it 2-1 and give Belgium a lifeline. Seconds later, Tielemans tapped into an empty net from six yards after Diaw couldn’t get there. 2-2, and a game Senegal had dominated was suddenly level.
It went to extra time, and a late penalty against Senegal sealed it. Belgium converted and completed the 3-2 comeback.
Senegal will feel they should have closed it out. At this level, 90 minutes means 90 minutes. Credit to Belgium for the fight, but the Lions have only themselves to blame for losing concentration when it mattered most.
