In Senegal, there’s a song about just how bitter soccer can be. Even at the 2026 World Cup, there’s no happy ending for the Lions of Teranga.
80 minutes of dominance, clarity, and control. And yet, it’s all over. Senegal must come to terms with yet another bitter defeat in its recent history. The West African soccer team is packing its bags after its fourth World Cup appearance—following a dramatic round of 16 match against Belgium. Until the 86th minute, Sadio Mané and his teammates were leading 2–0, before the Belgians—thought to be out of the game—staged a comeback that seemed impossible and won 3–2 thanks to a penalty kick in stoppage time of extra time.
After Belgium’s captain, Youri Tielemans, converted the penalty kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time in the second half of extra time to make it 3–2 (2–2, 0–1), and the final whistle blew shortly afterward, most of Senegal’s players sank to the ground, disappointed and exhausted.
“It’s a cruel sport”
“It’s a cruel sport. We have to accept it and move on. It’s not easy for me, not easy for the players,” said their coach, Pape Thiaw, an hour after the final whistle, already somewhat more composed as he reflected on the elimination. His team had put in a strong performance, capped off by goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr. “I think our team would have deserved it. I’m extremely sad—just like the players,” Thiaw continued.
Of all teams, it was Senegal that suffered this sporting fate, which brings back memories of the start of the year and an unforgettable, bizarre Africa Cup of Nations final. As a reminder: After a late penalty call in favor of host Morocco, Senegal temporarily left the field in Rabat in protest; the match resumed only after a lengthy interruption. Although Senegal won in extra time, the title was later stripped from them by CAF.
Back to Seattle. Protests erupted again this time when referee Hector Said Martinez pointed to the spot after an agonizingly long video review of the challenge between Lamine Camara and Tielemans. Thiaw’s players were deeply frustrated by their fate. Of course, there was nothing they could do to change it.
Senegal’s World Cup History: The Fair Play Ranking Also Plays a Role
“In extra time, to be honest, it’s like two boxers. The teams fought and fought,” said Belgium’s coach Rudi Garcia. His Red Devils then landed the decisive punch.
After this emotional roller coaster, the Belgians can now hope to advance to the quarterfinals, just as they did in 2014 and 2018—they’ll face host nation the U.S.
Senegal leaves the tournament with its head held high. Following its quarterfinal exit at its World Cup debut in 2002 against Turkey —thanks to a golden goal by Ilhan Mansiz, who hails from Kempten, mind you—their group-stage exit in Russia in 2018—indeed due to the fair play tiebreaker—and their quarterfinal defeat against England in 2022, the Lions of Teranga’s fourth World Cup appearance has now gone down in history.
