Three frantic minutes revive Belgium's World Cup hopes

Belgium appeared doomed after 80 minutes of a 0‑2 deficit against Senegal at the World Cup, but three frantic minutes in the final spell produced a stunning turnaround. The Red Devils ultimately secured a 3‑2 victory, leaving the Belgian press in disbelief.

described the match as an ‘insane World Cup comeback’, noting that Belgium made little impact for the first eighty minutes. The turning point arrived in a three‑minute burst that erased the 0‑2 gap.

The catalyst came after a missed chance, when Leandro Trossard and captain Youri Tielemans clashed on the pitch. Romelu Lukaku and Nicolas Raskin intervened, and commentator Filip Joos exclaimed, “Dit is de grafsteen op onze Wereldbeker.”

Filip Joos later reflected that the heated exchange sparked the revival, saying, “Achteraf bekeken bleek die woordenwisseling echter net de vonk die de Rode Duivels opnieuw tot leven bracht.” Coach Rudi Garcia’s substitutions were pivotal, removing Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku after 56 minutes.

Lukaku, who entered at halftime, helped stabilize the side while the early exit of De Bruyne and Doku surprised many observers. Het highlighted Garcia’s “weird substitutions” as a bold move that paid off.

Youri Tielemans, who had struggled to influence the game, scored the equaliser in the dying minutes and then converted a penalty under immense pressure. called the sequence “crazy, incroyable” and praised the dramatic shift.