Controversial penalty ends Senegal’s FIFA World Cup run against Belgium | World Cup 2026 News
Controversial Penalty Leads to Senegal’s Elimination from World Cup
By Al Jazeera and AP Staff
Published July 2, 2026
Seattle, WA — A last-minute penalty awarded against the Senegalese national team significantly impacted their fate in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, resulting in a dramatic turn of events. Senegal, who held a 2-0 lead over Belgium, ultimately lost the match 3-2 due to the controversial call.
In the dying moments of extra time, referee Said Martinez awarded the penalty following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review of a challenge by Senegal’s Lamine Camara on Belgian captain Youri Tielemans. This decision came when the score was tied at 2-2, with the match heading towards a penalty shootout.
The analysis platform “Archivo VAR” stated that VAR involvement was excessive in this instance. They reported that it was Tielemans who initiated the contact by extending his foot in front of Camara and emphasized that such a situation did not constitute the “clear and obvious error” required to justify a referee’s review.
The penalty sparked intense reactions on social media. Fans expressed their outrage, with one commenting that Senegal had been “robbed” and questioning how the decision could be justified. Others went as far as to suggest the match was “rigged,” calling for Senegal to leave the pitch in protest.
In more measured critiques, some commentators drew parallels to past events, including Senegal’s controversial exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Egyptian journalist Mohamed Saeed noted that this incident felt like a “harsh lesson” for Senegal, referring to the tensions surrounding match officiating in African football.
Despite the setbacks, Senegal initially dominated the match and appeared poised for advancement. Defender Krepin Diatta expressed disappointment over the missed opportunity, stating, “We were at the heart of writing the beautiful pages of the history of our football, and we have to accept that we failed at our mission.”
Midfielder Habib Diarra added, “We had a good first half, but it wasn’t enough. A match lasts 90 minutes, and we’re devastated. We’ve only got ourselves to blame.”
In a poignant conclusion to the contest, Tielemans successfully converted the penalty, sealing Belgium’s comeback and sending Senegal home from the tournament.