Belgium and Senegal battle for a round of 16 place at the World Cup – and a possible meeting with co-hosts the United States in Seattle.
An intriguing encounter brings together the Group G winners and third place finisher in Group I – though it could well be a closer clash than those facts might suggest. Belgium rather stuttered out of the starting blocks at this tournament and only found form and fluency against New Zealand, while Senegal showed their attacking prowess with a 5-0 thrashing of Iraq after tough fixtures with France and Norway.
The pressure feels on a Belgian team hoping to enjoy a last hurrah at this tournament, with a so-called “Golden Generation” having fallen short of success on this stage in the past. Can Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and the rest conjure the sort of campaign required to make a run at the trophy? Or will Senegal end their hopes in the first knockout round?
Follow all of the latest from the World Cup clash with our live blog below:
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Belgium vs Senegal LIVE
- Belgium battle Senegal in World Cup round of 32 | Live on ITV
- Experienced Belgian side topped group after stuttering start
- Senegal progressed third behind France and Norway after thrashing Iraq
- 51' GOAL! Sarr beautifully brings down long ball and smashes home second goal [BEL 0-2 SEN]
- 25' GOAL! Diarra reacts quickest to slot home rebound after Sarr hits post [BEL 0-1 SEN]
- 15' POST! Courtois flaps and Sarr's effort comes back off the upright [BEL 0-0 SEN]
Belgium 0-2 Senegal
22:33 , Mike Jones69 mins: The second half hydration break is called for.
Belgium are frustrated. Trossard and Tielemans have words as they head over to the side of the pitch for a drink.
Belgium 0-2 Senegal
22:29 , Mike Jones66 mins: Pape Gueye heads off the pitch and takes his time. He’s replaced by Lamine Camara.
Senegal have control of this match, another goal will kill it off for them but each minute that ticks by takes them closer to the last-16.
Belgium 0-2 Senegal
22:27 , Mike Jones63 mins: Belgium have improved since the changes and are pushing forward towards the Senegal box.
They’ve had a couple of decent chances but nothing clear cut as of yet.
Belgium 0-2 Senegal
22:23 , Mike Jones60 mins: Tielemans and Lukaku combine to play the former into the right side of the box.
He controls the ball and then shoots. He hits it well enough but finds the side netting.
Belgium 0-2 Senegal
22:19 , Mike Jones57 mins: Doku tries to get Belgium moving again. He twists and weaves into the box but his cross is drilled low and blocke.
Rudi Garcia makes a couple of changes. Off goes Doku and De Bruyne and on come Nicolas Raskin and Dodi Lukebakio.
Belgium 0-2 Senegal
22:16 , Mike Jones54 mins: That goal means Senegal are two up against Belgium and they should be enough.
Belgium haven’t offered enough for me to say they can get themselves back into this match.
It’ll be a very tricky task for them now.
GOAL! Belgium 0-2 Senegal (Ismaila Sarr, 51')
22:14 , Mike JonesBang!
This is a cracker from Ismaila Sarr. He times his run beautifully in between the centre-halves as a simple ball comes over the top.
Sarr’s first touch brings the ball down and he rattles it into the bottom corner.
Courtois has no chance and Senegal double their lead!
Belgium 0-1 Senegal
22:11 , Mike Jones48 mins: Mane hooks a cross in from the left and the attempted clearance comes to Ndiaye who whips a shot wide of the far post.
Romelu Lukaku has been brought on for Belgium.
Second half! Belgium 0-1 Senegal
22:08 , Mike JonesSenegal get the game back underway. Can they hold onto or improve their lead?
Incredible Kane justifies Tuchel decision but England have huge World Cup questions to answer
22:00 , Miguel DelaneyEarlier in the day, England reached the last-16 having beaten DR Congo 2-1.
Here’s the report from Atlanta Stadium from The Independent’s Miguel Delaney:
Kane justifies Tuchel decision but England have huge World Cup questions to answer
HT Belgium 0-1 Senegal
21:56 , Mike JonesThough they have had less possession than Belgium, Senegal have made it count.
They’ve had seven attempts with three of them on target and one goal scored.
They’ve also been quicker and sharper. A deserved lead for the African team.
Half-time! Belgium 0-1 Senegal
21:51 , Mike Jones45+5 mins: The whistle goes to end the first half just after a free kick from Maxim de Cuyper is blazed into the Senegalese wall.
Belgium head into the break trailing by one goal to nil.
Belgium 0-1 Senegal
21:49 , Mike Jones45+3 mins: Ndiaye tries to find some room on the right and manages to ping a ball inside towards Pape Gueye.
He stretches and pokes the ball towards goal but gets the angle slightly wrong and it goes wide.
Belgium 0-1 Senegal
21:46 , Mike Jones45 mins: A Belgium corner oomes to nothing as five added minutes are announced for the first half.
Belgium 0-1 Senegal
21:43 , Mike Jones42 mins: Just a few minutes to go until the half-time break.
Senegal’s intensity has dropped a touch as Belgium attempt to get some time on the ball.
The African team have clearly been the better side so far but their lead is a slim one.
Belgium 0-1 Senegal
21:40 , Mike Jones39 mins: Belgium have struggled to get into this game. They’ve had bits of possession here and there but nothing really cutthroat.
A squared pass from the right squirts through the box but there’s no Belgium players near it.
Belgium 0-1 Senegal
21:37 , Mike Jones36 mins: Mane!
A nice one-two from the former Liverpool forward sees him played into the left side of the box.
He slips as he takes his shot which results in a soft effort floated into the hands of Courtois.
Belgium 0-1 Senegal
21:34 , Mike Jones33 mins: Doku looks to squeeze through a small gap and dives to the ground having anticipated contact from Moussa Niakhate that doesn’t come.
Doku is given a warning by the referee for his diving but no card comes out.
Belgium 0-1 Senegal
21:32 , Mike Jones30 mins: Following a hydration break, there’s another break in the game as three or four protesters storm the pitch.
It’s an interruption in the game but the security seem to be on top of it quickly.
Belgium 0-1 Senegal
21:27 , Mike Jones27 mins: Senegal deserve their lead. They’ve been the better team and now they should go and try to score again.
Two goals would probably be enough to kill of this Belgium team and Senegal need to press their advantage in this tie.
GOAL! Belgium 0-1 Senegal (Habib Diarra, 25')
21:26 , Mike JonesThere’s the opening goal!
It’s deserved as well. The ball is worked across the pitch and out to Mane on the left.
He crosses the ball and finds the head of Sarr who nods the ball onto the far post!
The rebound comes into the six-yard area and Habib Diarra is first on hand to turn it home!
Belgium 0-0 Senegal
21:24 , Mike Jones21 mins: Senegal are the more proactive team. Ndiaye is having a fine time over on the right and the African team aren’t afraid to take their shots from range.
Pape Gueye is the most recent player to shoot and his effort is deflected out for a throw in.
Belgium 0-0 Senegal
21:18 , Mike Jones18 mins: Hello!
A cross from the right is aimed at Pape Gueye but gets nodded out by the Belgium defenders.
Idrissa Gueye runs onto the dropping ball and smokes a volley at goal only for Courtois to cling onto it.
Belgium 0-0 Senegal
21:14 , Mike Jones15 mins: Close! Ismaila Sarr should score!
Sadio Mane recovers the ball up the pitch and knocks it wide to Ismail Jakobs.
He floats a cross into the box and Thibaut Courtois slaps at it.
He only manages to knock the ball to Sarr whose attempt to wrap his foot around the ball results it him striking the post!
Belgium 0-0 Senegal
21:12 , Mike Jones12 mins: Diarra feeds the ball out wide to Ndiaye who brings it under control and then whips in a cross.
Belgium’s central defenders scramble to get a glance on the ball and it flies through the area without a Senegal forward getting close to it.
A good move but no one to get on the end of the pass.
Belgium 0-0 Senegal
21:10 , Mike Jones9 mins: It’s been a calm start to the game with neither team overcommitting themselves and instead looking for those threaded passes to cut through the lines.
Senegal have seen more possession and look to build another attack from the back.
A fizzing pass forward gives the ball away and Belgium can break.
Charle de Ketelaere carries the ball into the box but is tackled. It comes loose and bobbles to Leandro Trossard who shoots and forces a low stop out of Mory Diaw.
Belgium 0-0 Senegal
21:07 , Mike Jones6 mins: Oh that’s a nice move!
Iliman Ndiaye receives the ball out on the right wing and drifts inside as Habib Diarra makes a sweeping run into the box off the ball.
Ndiaye looks to feed him with a reverse pass but Arthur Theate manages to intercept the ball and cut short the attack.
Belgium 0-0 Senegal
21:03 , Mike Jones3 mins: Belgium bring the ball down the left wing then slip it inside as Senegal drop away.
The Belgians feed Jeremy Doku who looks to weave into the area from the left but is stopped and dispossessed.
Kick off! Belgium 0-0 Senegal
21:01 , Mike JonesBelgium get the ball rolling and fire it over to the right side of the pitch.
Senegal win an early free kick after an aerial tussle.
Belgium v Senegal
20:55 , Mike JonesThe players make their way out onto the pitch in Seattle. This should be a fascinating encounter and one that could be determined by fine margins.
Will it be a European winner or an African one?
We’re about to find out. Kick off is up next...
Belgium vs Senegal
20:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleYou’d say that after a tepid group stage at times, the knockouts have so far delivered some tasty ties and an upset or two to mix things up. What fun have we in store in Seattle? The teams are readying themselves in the tunnel.
A high-scoring affair?
20:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleBelgium were pretty secure at the back in their three group games, but will face a tougher test tonight against an intelligent and potent Senegal forward line. Sadio Mane and co. have had a combined 47 shots in their last two outings – they aren’t afraid to have a go...
What may be to come...
20:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleWe’ve mentioned already that it will be the USA or Bosnia-Herzegovina next for the victor here, but it could be a tough path thereafter. This fixture is in the same quarter as Spain, Portugal and Croatia – a last eight meeting with one of the three European heavyweights could well be on the cards.
An eventful year for Senegal
20:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleSenegal have already had an eventful year, of course, with the nation walking off the pitch in the Afcon final, then winning it in extra time, then being stripped of the trophy and appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Let’s hope for a smoother conclusion to this tournament...
Stripping Senegal of Afcon title is a farcical moment in football’s fragile time
Senegal seeking more World Cup success
20:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleSenegal’s early years after gaining independence from France were spent without much success at all, with the nation only recently, really, emerging as a footballing force within Africa. It took until 2002 for the country to qualify for a first World Cup – and they immediately reached the quarter-finals.
Pape Thiaw, now manager, was part of that squad that suffered a narrow defeat to Turkey on the golden goal rule – though actually missed the game having started the round of 16 clash beforehand.
Belgium settled in Seattle
20:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleBelgium have had the advantage of being settled in Seattle over the last few weeks, with Rudi Garcia’s side remaining in their base camp city for both this game and the next round – if they get there. In a tournament where travel may become more and more of a talking point, that feels a possible advantage.
England through but who will follow
19:51 , Mike JonesEngland captain Harry Kane scored twice to secure a comeback victory against DR Congo and send the Three Lions into the last-16.
They will take on Mexico this Sunday.
In the other side of the draw, Belgium and Senegal are competing to see who will advance and potentially set up a clash with World Cup co-hosts USA.
The United States fae Bosnia-Herzegovina tonight;
As you were...
19:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleBelgium manager Rudi Garcia was keen to talk up the importance of his wider squad ahead of this game, insisting that his first XI mattered little with substitutions just as important.
Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers had registered off the bench against New Zealand and will remain in those roles for this contest.
Senegal team to face Belgium
19:37 , Mike JonesSenegal XI: Diaw; Jakobs, Diatta, Niakhate; I. Gueye, Ciss, Diarra, P. Gueye; Mane, Ndiaye, Sarr
Belgium line-up to face Senegal
19:35 , Mike JonesBelgium XI: Courtois; Theate, Mechele, De Cuyper, Castagne; De Bruyne, Tielemans, Vanaken; Trossard, Doku, De Ketelaere
Belgium vs Senegal
19:30 , Harry Latham-CoylePerhaps surprisingly, Belgium and Senegal have never previously met – it feels like the sort of friendly that should have happened once, surely?
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who will win the World Cup?
19:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe lofty numbers behind America’s World Cup boom – but can US go where they’ve never gone before?
19:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleBack to the build-up to today’s tie in a moment, but the winners could very well face the United States in the next round. It’s Bosnia & Herzegovina for Mauricio Pochettino’s men a little later – Kieran Jackson wonders if the co-hosts can keep the World Cup boom...well, booming:
The numbers behind America’s World Cup boom – but how far can US team go?
Belgium have wasted a golden generation – but there is one last World Cup hope
19:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis feels like the last dance for much of Belgium’s “Golden Generation”, who never quite achieved the tournament success it felt like they ought to. Which isn’t to say that they’ve not hit real heights for a nation not previously blessed with such talent. Richard Jolly assesses the situation.
Belgium have wasted a golden generation – but there is one last World Cup hope
Belgium wary after Germany's exit
18:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleBelgium boss Rudi Garcia, meanwhile, has cautioned that Germany’s exit to Paraguay shows that their place as favourites is far from a guarantee of advancing as this World Cup. "There are no small (in stature) squads," Garcia said. "Even if you're a favourite on paper, which was the case for Germany, you can lose."
Senegal ready for 'new competition' after squeaking through group stage
18:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleSenegal coach Pape Thiaw said his side can put their World Cup group-stage troubles behind them when they take on Belgium in the round of 32, insisting that the knockout phase represents an entirely new competition.
Senegal lost their first`two games, conceding six goals against France and Norway before a 5-0 thrashing of Iraq helped them squeak through as the eighth-best third-placed team, just above Iran on goal difference.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia, though, was clear about the threat Senegal posed, describing them earlier on Tuesday as the best third-placed squad to qualify.T
hiaw accepted Senegal had not started the tournament well against strong opposition, but said his players would not be fazed going into the clash with Belgium. "We needed to win the game against Iraq and now we are qualified," he said. "It's a new competition that's going to start and we are determined to win this game.
"It's a different competition starting today and it's not because you finish top of your group that you are not going to be knocked out.”
Senegal without Edouard Mendy
18:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleWe’ll have team news in the next 90 minutes or so from Seattle, but Senegal will certainly be without goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The former Chelsea shot-stopper returned briefly to Al Ahli for treatment on an injury, and though he is back with the squad, he won’t be able to feature today. Mory Diaw stood in between the sticks against Iraq and will presumably start again.
Senegal's group stage
18:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleDefeats to France and Norway could have ended Senegal’s chances at this tournament, so they deserve credit for how professionally they recovered and retooled to thrash Iraq and snatch a spot as one of the eight best third-placed finishers.
Senegal’s hammering of Iraq leaves Scotland’s World Cup hopes hanging by a thread
How Belgium got here
18:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt was a shaky start for Belgium as they failed to fire against both Iran and Egypt, but a thrashing of New Zealand represented a welcome return to form and ensured they topped the group.
World Cup knockout bracket
18:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe knockout stages are well underway at this World Cup – here’s everything you need to know:
World Cup 2026 knockout fixtures, results and full tournament bracket
Belgium vs Senegal LIVE
11:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleA round of 16 encounter with the United States or Bosnia-Herzegovina is the prize for today’s victor as Belgium battle Senegal in a fascinating World Cup clash. A meeting of a group winner and third-placed finisher might suggest a mismatch but there is plenty of reason to believe a close contest may well be in store in Seattle.
Kick off is at 9pm BST.
