Senegal Suffer Late Heartbreak In World Cup Knockouts

Senegal's World Cup campaign, and that of Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye, came to a heartbreaking end in Seattle as Youri Tielemans' penalty deep into added time of extra time secured a 3-2 win for Belgium.

Ndiaye played 73 minutes and Gana was on the field for 96 as the Lions of Teranga, who were two goals up heading into the 86th minute of this round of 32 tie, conceded late strikes from Tielemans and former Everton striker Romelu Lukaku as Belgium forced the tie into extra time.

Then came the late spot kick, converted by Tielemans, that secured Belgium's place in the last 16.

Ndiaye was an immediate threat for Senegal, jinking between several Belgian defenders in the early stages and seeing his low ball into the box cut out by Arthur Theate with Ismaila Sarr waiting to turn home.

The Lions of Teranga would take a deserved lead in the 25th minute as Habib Diarra turned a loose ball home after Sarr's flicked header bounced back off the post.

Ndiaye nearly doubled Senegal's lead moments into the second half, sending an effort narrowly wide of the far post, but Sarr would put Senegal 2-0 up in the 51st minute as he took down a long ball from the back, raced into the box and finished powerfully past Thibaut Courtois.

Senegal were comfortable and looked like they would advance until Lukaku popped up in the 86th minute to turn home a low centre. Moments later, Tielemans reached a cross before Senegal keeper Mory Diaw could reach it and headed it in to take the game to extra time.

The extra 30 minutes was a cagey affair but when Tielemans was caught by the boot of Lamine Camara, and following a lengthy VAR check, Belgium were awarded the penalty that ultimately sent them through at Senegal's expense.