SenegalvsBelgium
SEN 2/BEL 3
Things to say
Belgium beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time.
01
opener
Belgium got Senegal 3-2, but they needed extra time to do it. Should've been done in ninety. Senegal made them sweat for it.
02
key player
Courtois bailed them out again, three big saves when it was still up for grabs. That keeper is the only reason Belgium are still alive.
03
hot take
Two-nil up and they nearly threw it. Belgium always find a way to make it a nightmare.
04
deep cut
Mechele had 122 accurate passes and fourteen defensive interventions. Nobody's talking about him but he ran that back line all night.
05
exit
Anyway, on to the quarters. Belgium won't survive playing like that against a real side.
The recap
This one went the distance and Belgium had just enough left in the tank, edging Senegal 3-2 after extra time in a proper end-to-end scrap. Senegal wouldn't go quietly, dragging it level and forcing the extra thirty, with Ismaïla Sarr peppering the goal all night.
But Belgium found the net when it mattered and Courtois came up with the saves to keep the door shut. Brilliant drama, gutting for Senegal, but the Red Devils march on.