Belgium’s Youri Tielemans (8) celebrates after scoring during the World Cup Round of 32 match against Senegal. (AP Photo)

Belgium produced one of the greatest escapes of the FIFA World Cup 2026, overturning a two-goal deficit with three late goals — including the latest goal in World Cup history — to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time and storm into the Round of 16 on Wednesday.Just moments away from elimination, the Red Devils mounted an extraordinary fightback, with substitute Romelu Lukaku igniting the comeback before Youri Tielemans struck twice, including a dramatic penalty deep into stoppage time of extra time to send Belgium through.The victory also marked only the second time in the last 11 FIFA World Cups that a team trailing by two or more goals in a knockout match recovered to advance. Ironically, Belgium were responsible for the other such comeback too, when they rallied from 2-0 down to beat Japan 3-2 in the 2018 Round of 16.

Tielemans’ historic penalty completes stunning turnaround

Belgium looked destined for a shock exit after Senegal dominated much of the contest.Habib Diarra opened the scoring in the 25th minute before Ismaila Sarr doubled Senegal’s advantage six minutes into the second half with one of the goals of the tournament. Sarr controlled Moussa Niakhate’s long pass with a brilliant first touch before calmly beating veteran goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to make it 2-0.Courtois then kept Belgium alive with a string of crucial saves as Senegal threatened to put the contest beyond doubt.Belgium’s revival finally began in the 86th minute when all-time leading scorer Romelu Lukaku, introduced from the bench, pulled one back.Just three minutes later, Youri Tielemans fired home the equaliser in the 89th minute to stun Senegal and force extra time.With a penalty shootout only seconds away, Tielemans was brought down inside the box in the dying moments of extra time. Following a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot.The Belgian midfielder calmly converted in the fifth minute of stoppage time in extra time, scoring the latest goal in FIFA World Cup history and completing one of the competition’s most remarkable knockout comebacks.

Senegal left heartbroken after VAR drama

Senegal’s players were left devastated after seeing victory slip away in dramatic fashion.Coach Pape Thiaw chose not to criticise the decisive penalty decision.“I do not want to interpret the decision. We all have different interpretations when it comes to awarding a penalty,” Thiaw said. “I’d rather not comment, not interpreting the referee’s decision,” he said.The Senegal players surrounded the referee after the award, with defender Pathe Ciss even lying on top of the penalty spot in protest before eventually moving aside for the kick.Reflecting on the collapse, Thiaw admitted Belgium capitalised when it mattered most.“It is a cruel loss, as we were good in the game. 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 … We must congratulate Belgium as they progress,” he said.He also explained his team’s reaction to the decisive VAR call.“Well, when the penalty was awarded, we had our own interpretation. We believed that there was no penalty. The players tried to challenge the decision. It’s their right. And, then the penalty was taken. And, this is why we were eliminated,” he added.

Steve Nelson takes up the role of managing director of Serco Leisure today (1 July 2026), following 18 years with the company where he has progressed through many roles, most recently director of leisure.

Serco Leisure operates more than 55 facilities in the UK, including the national sports centres at Lilleshall, Bisham Abbey, Stoke Mandeville Stadium – the birthplace of the Paralympic movement – and Alexander Stadium, a venue which will stage the European Athletics Championships in August this year.

Speaking on his appointment, Nelson says: “It is a privilege to lead an organisation I know so well and care deeply about. I believe that my appointment also reflects our commitment to developing and supporting internal talent, creating opportunities for our people to grow, thrive and reach their full potential within Serco.

“Serco Leisure has achieved significant success in recent years, and I look forward to building on that momentum. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Simon Lane for the support he has given me personally and also the wider leisure business over the past five years.

“My focus will be on continuing to deliver outstanding health and wellbeing services for our clients and communities, while driving sustainable growth and supporting our talented teams to achieve their full potential.”

Simon Bailey, managing director of Serco’s parent division says: “Steve’s appointment is a well-earned progression, reflecting both his depth of experience in the sector and his long- standing commitment to Serco. 

“Having progressed from managing leisure facilities into senior leadership roles, Steve brings a strong understanding of our operations, our people, and the values that underpin our delivery of public services.”

Outgoing managing director, Simon Lane, has joined UK holiday park operator, Verdant Leisure as CEO.

Youri Tielemans struck a 125th-minute penalty as Belgium remarkably rallied from two goals down and ultimately defeated Senegal 3-2 after extra time to keep alive their World Cup title hopes that had looked dead and buried.

Senegal’s Lamine Camara slid in on Tielemans as the ball flashed across the face of goal and conceded the spot-kick after a VAR review, with the Belgian picking out the top corner to complete an extraordinary comeback.

Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr had ⁠given Senegal a deserved 2-0 lead and they looked ​to ⁠be cruising through to the last 16 before Belgium netted twice in the final four minutes through Romelu Lukaku and Tielemans to force extra time.

Belgium now face the winner of the last-32 clash between co-hosts United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on Monday.

It ⁠was cruel on Senegal, who controlled much ‌of the 90 minutes and also struck the woodwork twice, but could not see out the game.

They became the fourth African side to bow out in a narrow defeat in the last 32 after South Africa, Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and will wonder how they managed to let this one slip away.

They were inches away from the lead early on when Ismail Jakobs’ cross from the left was only parried by Thibaut Courtois, but a stretching Sarr could only steer the loose ball onto the post.

When the African side did break the deadlock in the 25th minute it was no surprise. Sadio Mane’s cross was headed goalwards by Sarr, but his effort came off the post again. This time the loose ball fell kindly for Diarra, and he side-footed home from seven yards.

Maxim De Cuyper forced an excellent save from Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw with a shot that looked to be heading into the top corner as Belgium trailed at the break.

Belgium brought on Lukaku for the ineffective Charles De Ketelaere at half-time, but were soon 2-0 ‌down. A stunning long pass from Moussa Niakhate was brilliantly controlled on the chest of Sarr, who held off two defenders before thundering the ball into the net.

Belgium struggled to create clear-cut chances until the ⁠final five minutes, and almost out of nowhere turned the game on its head by netting ⁠twice in three minutes.

First Lukaku turned the ball in at the near post from Thomas Meunier’s low cross and Leandro Trossard’s ball into the box from deep was headed into the net by Tielemans after a terrible decision from Diaw to come off his line.

Trossard and Tielemands had been ‌involved in a heated exchange earlier in the ​match but it was all smiles and hugs when the equaliser went in, before Tielemans was central again in the winner – earning and converting the spot-kick.

New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge may not be able to play for his squad right now, but that doesn’t mean he’s looking away from the poor performances they’ve had of late.

Judge was straight-forward with his response to the Yankees dropping six games before their series finale against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday afternoon in the Bronx.

“Well, it’s not great,” he said after his team’s woes. “Just a little lack of focus. We just gotta dial it in. Our ultimate goal is to win a World Series. I think guys have to remember that every single day they show up here, we’re here to win a World Series.”

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Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees sits in the dugout before a game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, Calif., on May 29, 2026. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Judge didn’t specifically go into what the lack of focus is, but he followed up by saying, “I think you guys see it.”

Judge, who has been on the injured list with a rib injury, believes getting that elusive 28th world championship for the franchise should be enough motivation to right the ship.

ANTHONY RIZZO CALLS OUT JAZZ CHISHOLM’S ‘IMMATURITY’ AFTER EJECTION DURING YANKEES’ FENWAY PARK SWEEP

“That should motivate you every single day you step on that field, no matter what happens, no matter what happens the day before,” he added. “I got a job to do. We’ve got an important sign when you walk out on the field. It’s the last sign you see before you’re out there: it says ‘do your job.’ Guys are here to do their job.”

Unfortunately for the Yankees, Judge’s pre-game speech didn’t result in snapping that losing streak on Wednesday. They fell to Detroit 6-2 in 11 innings, where four runs were scored in the top of the 11th by the Tigers.

The Yankees have dropped seven straight and eight of their last 10 games to fall three games back of the Tampa Bay Rays for the lead in the AL East.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees reacts after being ejected in the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Mass., on June 28, 2026. (Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)

Yes, the Yankees remain in clear playoff position, sitting atop the American League Wild Card standings despite the skid. But, while the AL has been mediocre this season, it’s still a tight race as other teams are starting to get right.

New York could certainly use their captain back on the field, but there’s no timetable for his return and he didn’t have anything positive to say about his rehab in terms of putting the pinstripes back on soon.

“You know how it goes around here — guys can feel good, feel bad, but you’ve got to wait on images,” Judge said about his rib. The Yankees said when he was diagnosed with the injury that they would get additional imaging done roughly four-to-six weeks later.

New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge, who is injured, runs drills in the outfield before a baseball game between the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays, Thursday, July 31, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

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“There’s no need to talk about this now,” Judge said. “I know it’s an important topic and a big issue, but I want to give you guys the full story.”

The story right now for the Yankees is a bleak one, but there’s a lot of season left to play. Perhaps the All-Star break, which begins July 13, could be a good reset as they look to get back to their winning ways.

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Belgium produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they came from two goals down to defeat Senegal 3-2 after extra time in their last-32 clash.

Youri Tielemans scored a late penalty in extra time to seal a remarkable victory for Belgium and send them into the last 16, where they will face either the United States or Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Senegal looked to be cruising into the next round after taking a deserved 2-0 lead and holding that advantage until the closing stages of normal time.

The African side had threatened early in the game when Ismaila Sarr struck the post in the 13th minute. Sarr hit the woodwork again from a Sadio Mane cross 12 minutes later, but Habib Diarra reacted quickest to score from close range and give Senegal the lead.

Senegal doubled their advantage six minutes into the second half with a brilliant goal. Moussa Niakhate’s long pass caught the Belgian defence off guard, allowing Sarr to control the ball with his chest before firing a powerful shot past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

With only four minutes remaining, Belgium finally found a way back into the game. Veteran striker Romelu Lukaku, who came on as a substitute at half-time, cleverly flicked Thomas Meunier’s cross into the net to reduce the deficit.

The equaliser came in dramatic fashion in the 89th minute. Leandro Trossard delivered a dangerous cross into the box, which goalkeeper Mory Diaw failed to deal with, allowing Belgium captain Tielemans to head home and force extra time.

The comeback was even more remarkable considering that Tielemans and Trossard had been involved in a heated argument earlier in the second half before Lukaku stepped in to calm the situation.

After surviving Senegal’s early dominance, Belgium completed the turnaround in the final moments of extra time. Following a lengthy seven-minute VAR review, the referee awarded Belgium a penalty after Lamine Camara’s challenge on Tielemans.

Tielemans kept his composure and calmly fired the penalty into the top corner in the 125th minute to seal a sensational victory.

Lukaku’s impact proved decisive as the 33-year-old inspired Belgium’s dramatic fightback and kept alive the hopes of the country’s remaining members of their famous golden generation.

For Senegal, it was another heartbreaking end to a major tournament. After leading by two goals with only minutes left, they were left stunned as their dream of reaching the World Cup last 16 slipped away in dramatic fashion.

Belgium will now remain in Seattle as they prepare for their last-16 encounter, while Senegal’s 2026 FIFA World Cup journey comes to a painful end.