Senegal established commanding control throughout regulation time, scoring twice by the 51st minute through Diarra and I Sarr to lead 2-0. Belgium appeared headed for elimination until Lukaku reduced the deficit in the 86th minute, followed by an equaliser from Tielemans in the 89th minute that forced the match into extra time. Despite Senegal's sustained pressure and superior play across 85 minutes, Belgium refused to exit the tournament.

With a penalty shootout looming at the 122nd minute mark, referee Saíd Martínez awarded Belgium a stoppage-time penalty after VAR detected contact on Tielemans's ankle from Senegal defender Lamine Kamara. Tielemans calmly converted the spot-kick into the top corner at 120+5 minutes, securing a 3-2 victory and progression to the last 16. The late penalty decision proved contentious amongst observers, though it capped one of the tournament's most extraordinary comebacks—Belgium's second recovery from a two-goal deficit in knockout competition within three World Cups.