Senegal have become the latest African nation to fall short of the Round of 16 after suffering one of the most heartbreaking defeats of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Lions of Teranga looked destined for qualification after taking a 2-0 lead against Belgium and holding that advantage for 85 minutes.
Then everything changed. Belgium mounted a dramatic late comeback, scoring twice to level the match at 2-2 before the end of normal time and forcing the contest into extra time.
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With penalties looming, disaster struck for Senegal.
The West Africans conceded a penalty in extra time, and Belgium made no mistake from the spot, completing an extraordinary turnaround to win 3-2 and book their place in the Round of 16.
For Senegal, it was a cruel ending to a match they had controlled for much of the evening.
One painful pattern has emerged for Africa in the Round of 32: three of the continent’s eliminated teams let qualification slip away in the closing stages of their matches. After battling for most of the game, they conceded late goals that ultimately ended their World Cup dreams.
Of the nine African nations that reached the Round of 32, only Morocco have so far secured a place in the Round of 16.
Four African teams have now seen their World Cup journeys come to an end, while hopes for further continental representation rest with Ghana, Egypt, Algeria and Cabo Verde, who are yet to play their Round of 32 fixtures.
Africa’s dream is far from over but the margin for error has disappeared.
All eyes now turn to the continent’s remaining four representatives as they attempt to join Morocco in the last 16.
