Garcia praises Belgium's resilience as Thiaw rues heartbreaking exit

DOHA: Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia hailed his side's resilience and unwavering belief after they produced one of the most remarkable comebacks of the FIFA World Cup 2026, overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Senegal 3-2 after extra time and book their place in the Round of 16.

With Belgium trailing 2-0 until the closing stages of normal time, Garcia said his players never lost faith despite staring at elimination before Romelu Lukaku's late strike sparked an extraordinary turnaround.

"In football, anything is always possible as long as you believe in it," Garcia said after the dramatic victory.

"I told the players we had to score the 2-1 goal, and then anything could happen. Football is about emotions. Coming back and winning under such circumstances can unify the group and make them realise that, until the final whistle blows, anything is possible."

Garcia also acknowledged that Belgium had spent much of the evening chasing the game against an impressive Senegal side but praised his players for refusing to give up when the match appeared lost.

"Senegal deserved to win," he admitted. "But I am happy it was us."

Belgium's comeback was completed in dramatic fashion after captain Youri Tielemans scored twice in the closing moments, including a stoppage-time penalty in extra time, while substitute Romelu Lukaku's introduction transformed the momentum after his goal ignited Belgium's fightback.

Tielemans described the victory as one of the proudest moments of his international career.

"We fell behind and then it's up to us to show a reaction. We did," the captain said.

"Being part of this comeback is a proud moment because I scored the last two goals to give the team the win today."

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also credited Belgium's mental strength, believing the momentum shifted immediately after Lukaku reduced the deficit.

"When Romelu made it 2-1, the whole team believed we could do it and the Senegalese started to have doubts," Courtois said. "If you can win like that, it gives an energy boost."

For Senegal, the final whistle brought only heartbreak after a performance that looked destined to secure a place in the Round of 16 before slipping away in the closing minutes.

Head coach Pape Thiaw admitted the defeat would take time to accept after watching his side surrender a commanding advantage.

"It is a cruel loss," Thiaw said.

"We had the advantage. We were leading 2-0. However, a football match is not an 85-minute one. Belgium came back, and we were not able to deal with that."

Although Senegal questioned the late penalty that ultimately decided the contest, Thiaw refused to blame the officials for the outcome.

"We believed there was no penalty. The players tried to challenge the decision. It's their right. But the penalty was taken, and this is the reason why we are now eliminated."

Instead, the Senegal coach focused on the disappointment of falling short after producing one of his team's strongest displays of the tournament.

"This match meant a lot to us. We wanted to qualify for the Senegalese people. Unfortunately, we are eliminated. I am sad, and the players feel the same."

Defender Krepin Diatta echoed his coach's emotions, admitting Senegal had let a historic opportunity slip through their hands.

"We were determined to write some beautiful pages in the history of our football in this World Cup, and we have to accept that we failed in this mission," Diatta said.

"Given what we offered, we shouldn't have lost this match."

Goalscorer Habib Diarra also struggled to hide his disappointment after the dramatic collapse.

"We're disappointed," he said. "We had a good first half, but it wasn't enough. A match lasts 90 minutes, and we're devastated. It's very tough."

Belgium now advance carrying renewed confidence after a comeback that Garcia believes could define their World Cup campaign. Senegal, meanwhile, leave the tournament with painful memories of a match that was within their grasp, but also with the respect earned from a spirited campaign that ended in the cruellest of circumstances.