Belgium defeated Senegal 3-2 in extra time on Wednesday to secure the final qualification spot for the 2026 World Cup [1].
The victory marks a dramatic turnaround for the Belgian national team, ensuring their presence in the global tournament after facing elimination in the closing minutes of the match.
The contest took place at Lumen Field in Seattle, U.S. [2]. For much of the game, Senegal held a commanding lead, leaving Belgium trailing 0-2 until the 85th minute [1]. The Belgian side mounted a late surge to force the game into extra time, where the match was eventually decided.
A decisive penalty kick in the extra period provided the winning margin, sealing the 3-2 result [1]. The victory concludes the qualification process for the tournament, as Belgium claimed the last available berth through this high-stakes encounter.
Senegal's lead for the majority of the match placed them on the verge of qualification. However, the late collapse allowed Belgium to capitalize on the final opportunities of the game. The result leaves Senegal out of the 2026 competition while sending the Belgian squad to the tournament as the final entrant [1].
“Belgium won 3-2 after extra time with a decisive penalty”
Belgium's entry into the 2026 World Cup follows a volatile qualification path, characterized by a narrow escape in the final moments of their play-off. By securing the final spot, Belgium maintains its status as a competitive force in international football, while Senegal misses the tournament despite dominating the majority of the deciding match.
