Belgium were minutes away from going home. Down 2-0 to Senegal deep into extra time at the FIFA World Cup in Seattle, the Red Devils looked like a team writing their own obituary. Then Youri Tielemans got hit in the penalty area, the referee went to the monitor, and everything changed.
The penalty was awarded in the 122nd minute following a lengthy VAR review of a challenge by Senegal’s Lamine Kamara on Tielemans. Belgium won 3-2, completing a full resurrection from a two-goal deficit to secure their spot in the Round of 16.
The call that split opinion
The footage is, to put it mildly, not conclusive. Tielemans went down after contact from Kamara, and the on-field referee initially appeared content to let play continue. VAR had other ideas.
After reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor, the referee pointed to the spot. Tielemans stepped up to take the penalty himself and converted it.
