Belgium are through to the World Cup round of 16 after a comeback that looked lost for most of the night and only came alive when the clock was almost gone. A team that trailed 2-0 found a way back against Senegal, and now the only question left is who will face Belgium next.
That is why the search for who will USA play in the round of 16 matters right now. Belgian supporters were already turning their attention to the United States vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina clash in the Bay Area, because that result will decide whether Belgium meet Bosnia or wait for another path to open.
The finish belonged to Youri Tielemans. First he met Leandro Trossard's cross and headed home mere seconds after the restart, then he stepped up after Saíd Martínez sent the decision to VAR for a foul by Lamine Camara on Tielemans. Tielemans converted the penalty at 124:44, a mark described as the latest goal in World Cup history.
Before that, Belgium had looked dismal for large periods and were 2-0 down, a position that made the late rescue feel improbable until Romelu Lukaku’s header four minutes from time cut the gap and opened the door. Rudi Garcia had already taken off Jérémy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne 11 minutes after the interval, a move that underlined how flat the night had become before the comeback took hold.
If Bosnia beat the United States, Belgium will meet Bosnia for the first time in nine years, and that history gives the next game its own edge. Belgium had won their last three meetings with the Golden Lilies and scored 11 goals across those matches, including home and away wins during 2018 World Cup qualifying.
For Belgium, the immediate story is simple: the round of 16 is secured, Senegal are out, and the next opponent will not be known until the United States and Bosnia & Herzegovina finish their match. Tielemans turned a near-defeat into a place in the knockout stage, and Belgium now wait to see which side of the bracket greets them next.
