SEATTLE — Belgium produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of the FIFA World Cup knockout stage, erasing a two-goal deficit before Youri Tielemans converted a stoppage-time penalty in extra time to complete a thrilling 3-2 victory over Senegal and book a place in the Round of 16 on Wednesday night (Thursday in the Philippines).
Tielemans emerged as Belgium’s hero after calmly converting a penalty in the 125th minute, moments after he was fouled inside the box. Following a video review, the referee pointed to the spot, and the midfielder buried the decisive kick just before the final whistle.
Senegal looked headed for a major upset after Habib Diarra gave the African side a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute before Ismaïla Sarr doubled the advantage to put Belgium under heavy pressure.
Belgium refused to surrender, with substitute Romelu Lukaku igniting the comeback by scoring in the 86th minute. Tielemans then struck the dramatic equalizer three minutes later to force extra time before completing the turnaround with his match-winning penalty.
In Atlanta, Harry Kane scored twice in the second half as England rallied from an early setback to defeat the Democratic Republic of Congo, 2-1, and advance to the Round of 16.
Congo stunned England in the seventh minute when Brian Cipenga finished Chancel Mbemba’s cross past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for the opening goal.
The African side nearly doubled its lead through Yoane Wissa, whose close-range effort hit the post, while goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi frustrated England with a string of crucial saves.
England finally found its breakthrough in the second half after Anthony Gordon delivered a cross that Kane headed home for the equalizer in the 75th minute. Kane then completed the comeback with a powerful finish into the roof of the net in the 86th minute.
Meanwhile, the United States advanced with a 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina behind goals from Folarin Balogun in the first half and Mark Tillman after the break./PN
