Belgium completed one of the FIFA World Cup 2026’s most remarkable comebacks after a dramatic VAR intervention awarded them a penalty deep into stoppage time of extra time against Senegal in their Round
of 32 clash in Seattle.
Having fought back from two goals down to force extra time, Belgium looked destined for a penalty shootout before referee Saíd Martínez pointed to the spot in the 122nd minute following a VAR review.
Why Was The Penalty Given?
The incident occurred in the 117th minute when Dodi Lukebakio whipped in a cross from the left. Midfielder Youri Tielemans moved towards the delivery inside the penalty area before Senegal’s Lamine Camara caught him on the back of his left foot while attempting to challenge for the ball.
No era penal, el jugador no tiene ojos en la espalda para saber que tan cerca está el rival, él se barre para llegar al balón y Tielemans es más rápido! Robo histórico porque el VAR solo le muestra una parte y no la jugada completa! pic.twitter.com/tUHLaT7eYg
— Gilberto A. Jurado (@kueilan) July 2, 2026
Was Senegal robbed their chance to win with the penalty decision by VAR. I really feel sorry for them. pic.twitter.com/4MB97qdOr1
— Mohamad Al Shami محمد الشامي (@mamashami2) July 1, 2026
Play continued initially, with no foul awarded on the field. Moments later, however, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Guillermo Pacheco Larios advised Martínez to review the incident.
After checking the pitchside monitor, the referee overturned his original decision and awarded Belgium a penalty.
Tielemans ignored furious protests from Senegal’s players, calmly dispatched the spot-kick and sealed a stunning comeback victory for the Red Devils.
Was It The Right Decision?
Under the IFAB Laws of the Game, a player commits a foul if they carelessly, recklessly or with excessive force trips or attempts to trip an opponent inside the penalty area.
Replays showed Camara making contact with Tielemans’ foot from behind before getting anywhere near the ball. Although the contact was not particularly forceful, it impeded Tielemans as he attempted to play the cross.
Because the defender made contact with the player rather than the ball, VAR deemed that the referee had made a clear and obvious error by not awarding a penalty.
The decision proved decisive, capping an extraordinary turnaround after Belgium had trailed 2-0 with fewer than 10 minutes of normal time remaining.
Goals from Tielemans and captain Romelu Lukaku had dragged the match into extra time before Tielemans’ ice-cool penalty sent Belgium into the Round of 16.
