Seattle, July 2: Belgium’s manager, Rudy Garcia, spoke about his team’s stunning comeback against Senegal in the FIFA World Cup 2026. He noted that when Belgium was trailing 2-0 in the 83rd minute, it seemed impossible for them to turn the match around. However, a brief conversation during the hydration break inspired the team to achieve what appeared to be an improbable victory. Belgium ultimately defeated Senegal 3-2 in the Round of 32.
By the 85th minute, Belgium was still down 0-2, and a loss seemed inevitable. Yet, Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans scored in the final five minutes, sending the match into extra time. In the 125th minute, Tielemans netted another goal, sealing the win for Belgium at 3-2.
In the post-match press conference, Garcia said, “Football is filled with emotions. It was not easy to believe we could come back in the 83rd minute. During the hydration break, I told the players that if we scored one more goal, anything could happen. We did just that, and it opened up the match again. Both teams had chances in extra time, but the momentum was with us. This result can strengthen our group.”
Belgium will now face co-hosts America at Seattle Stadium in the Round of 16 on Monday, presenting a golden opportunity to reach the quarter-finals. Garcia emphasized that recovery is the team’s top priority, stating, “We need to recover because 120 minutes is a lot for the legs. We saw the impact it had on the players in the end.”
Garcia also praised the Senegal team, acknowledging their misfortune in being eliminated. He remarked, “We played against a great Senegal team. They were the toughest opponent we could face in the Round of 32. They have a lot of quality, are fast, and put us under significant pressure. Today, there were two excellent teams on the pitch.”
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