Belgium vs Senegal stats and analysis: How Youri Tielemans-led Red Devils overcame two-goal deficit

Belgium were down by as much as two goals and still managed to beat Senegal and advance to the round of 16.

The Red Devils left it – literally – as late as ever to book their spot in the next round of the 2026 World Cup.

In terms of football played, the Lions of Teranga did more than enough to seal the deal within 90 minutes. They created the best chances and it was their mistakes that not only kept Belgium alive but also sent them through.

Rise and fall of Senegal

It would be unfair not to address the Senegal part of the game first. After all, it was all of their actions – good and bad ones – that dictated how the game went.

The Lions of Teranga utterly and completely dominated the start of the match. Up until Habib Diarra’s opener in the 25th minute, they had 65% possession and trapped Belgium inside their own half.

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Senegal took advantage of Belgium’s man-oriented marking throughout the whole pitch. Simple off-ball movements and coordinated runs between full-backs and wingers in the same flank would often confuse the opponents and open up channels for them to run into.

Centre-midfielders Habib Diarra and Pape Gueye had a lot of presence in the half-spaces with and without the ball, which forced Youri Tielemans and Hans Vanaken to basically drop back into the defensive line alongside the centre-backs.

It was that kind of movement that allowed them to open the scoring, in fact. Diarra attacked the penalty area and followed up on Ismaila Sarr’s header that went off the post.

Early in the second half, up 1-0 and more retracted, they took advantage of Belgium’s advanced positioning and Sarr went through on goal to give the Lions of Teranga a two-goal cushion.

It’s important to mention how Senegal’s centre-backs were crucial in-possession. Pathe Ciss helped to take the ball forward through carries (team-high 40) and dribbles (team-high 2). Meanwhile, Moussa Niakhate chipped in with long balls (4/5 – including the assist for Sarr).

Out of possession, their narrow zonal marking left a few spaces. Belgium could sometimes connect dangerous passes between the lines, but struggled to create decent opportunities in every phase of the game.

But Senegal’s own doings brought the opponents back into the game. Credit to Romelu Lukaku, who came off the bench and looke like his best version from the Inter Milan days. No defender seemed to be able to deal with him on the ground, in the air and he also did a good job setting teammates up.

His goal, however, was mostly a ‘coincidence’. And that’s before, of course, goalkeeper Mory Diaw literally handed Youri Tielemans the equaliser three minutes later. It wasn’t the end of Senegal shooting themselves on the foot as well. Lamine Camara fouled the Aston Villa midfielder who took the perfect penalty to send his country into the round of 16.

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Was Rudi Garcia right all along?

Belgium came back from 0-2 down to win 3-2 despite Rudi Garcia bringing Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku off 10 minutes into the second half.

Most of the substitutes contributed positively in some or many ways. But one thing in particular stood out, considering how the Red Devils got the win.

Garcia has been using Tielemans rather high up the pitch. Many fans and analysts correctly pointed out that it’s not the best way to utilise his talents. And granted, the Frenchman has adjusted over the course of the tournament to some degree.

But it was his initial idea to have Tielemans further forward that allowed Belgium to beat Senegal. He was the one ready to capitalise on Diaw’s mistake like a proper striker to make it 2-2.

And, once again, it was him rushing in behind to get on the end of a cross inside the box that won them the penalty late on in extra-time. Not to mention the finisher’s touch to score from the spot.

Of course, having him deeper would be of great help against either the United States or Bosnia and Herzegovina up next. But maybe Rudi Garcia wasn’t too crazy when he asked his captain to wait a little more for the ball in the attacking half instead of picking it up deeper all the time.

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