Lukaku's late heroics spark Belgium's stunning World Cup revival

Romelu Lukaku's 85th‑minute strike ignited Belgium's comeback against Senegal in the World Cup knockout stage, delivering his second goal of the tournament and his 92nd for the national side. The late goal set the stage for a dramatic extra‑time showdown. Senegal were described by Lukaku as one of the tournament's strongest squads, combining technical skill, physicality and tactical discipline. He noted that the match was intense but that Belgium displayed character and courage. It was Lukaku's third appearance in the competition and his third with a decisive impact. After scoring, he said, “I think my father is helping me from above,” reflecting his emotional state. Initially, Lukaku considered taking the decisive penalty in the shootout, but he later handed the responsibility to Youri Tielemans. He explained, “I was not mentally ready for such a difficult and crucial moment, so I let him take it. The team comes above everything.”

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Youri Tielemans stepped up to convert the penalty, sending Belgium into the next round of the World Cup. Leandro Trossard also contributed an emotional performance in the second half, as highlighted by post‑match analysis. The victory marked a miraculous comeback for the Rode Duivels, overturning a deficit to secure progression. The result reinforces Belgium's group spirit and intensity, which Lukaku said rose at the end of the match. Observers quickly drew parallels with Belgium's 2018 World Cup run against Japan, noting similar resilience. Report cards for the team varied widely, with some players moving from a rating of four to nine after the turnaround. The match was captured by photographer Manu Fernandez, whose image accompanied the coverage. Sven Van Londersele, the reporting journalist, highlighted the significance of the comeback for fans and the national squad.