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Belgium Rally Past Senegal 3-2 to Book Place in World Cup Last 16

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Belgium produced one of the most remarkable comebacks of the FIFA World Cup, overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Senegal 3-2 after extra time and book a place in the Round of 16 on Wednesday.

Youri Tielemans converted a controversial penalty in the 125th minute to complete the dramatic turnaround after Belgium had trailed 2-0 with just four minutes of normal time remaining.

Senegal appeared on course for a historic victory after first-half goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr gave the African side a commanding advantage in Seattle.

Diarra broke the deadlock by reacting quickest to a rebound after Sarr's header from Sadio Mane's cross struck the post. Sarr then doubled Senegal's lead early in the second half, controlling Moussa Niakhate's long pass before firing beyond Thibaut Courtois.

Belgium's revival began after Romelu Lukaku was introduced at half-time.

The striker pulled one back in the 86th minute, finishing from Thomas Meunier's cross, before Tielemans levelled three minutes later with a header after Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw failed to deal with Leandro Trossard's delivery.

With the contest seemingly destined for a penalty shootout, Belgium were awarded a spot-kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time at the end of extra time after Tielemans went down under a challenge from Lamine Camara. Referee Said Martinez pointed to the spot following a VAR review.

Tielemans kept his composure to convert from the penalty spot, scoring the latest match-winning goal in FIFA World Cup history and sending Belgium into the knockout stage.

The victory keeps alive the hopes of Belgium's ageing golden generation, led by Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Courtois, after they looked destined for an early exit.

Belgium will now face either the United States or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 16, while Senegal's dream of recording a first World Cup knockout victory since its memorable 2002 campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion.

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