"It was a miracle."
Leandro Trossard was in no doubt about the magnitude of Belgium's comeback to beat Senegal on Wednesday in the World Cup last 32.
The Red Devils were 2-0 down as the clock entered the 86th minute in Seattle, but substitute Romelu Lukaku and captain Youri Tielemans forced extra-time out of nowhere.
But the drama did not end there as Tielemans won and converted a penalty deep into stoppage time at the end of extra-time to break Senegal hearts.
"We believed right until the very end and that’s how we managed to bring it home," added Trossard, who had angrily clashed with Tielemans while trailing 2-0 before setting up his equalizer.
"I don’t think anyone inside the stadium thought we could pull it off after 80 minutes had gone. We came together as a team. It was inevitable."
Only France and Mexico have won in the last 32 at a canter. Every other knock-out game so far in North America has had excitement right to the death.
Canada beat South Africa 1-0 thanks to Stephen Eustáquio's injury-time goal in the first match of the second stage, Brazil substitute Gabriel Martinelli downed Japan in stoppage time and Paraguay went the distance to edge four-time winners Germany on penalties.
Morocco against the Netherlands also went to spot-kicks, but the Atlas Lions only prevailed on penalties because they had levelled a minute after normal time had elapsed.
'Crazy game'
Erling Haaland struck on 86 minutes to seal Norway's 2-1 success over Ivory Coast and fellow top star Harry Kane left it equally late to rescue England's 2-1 win, having gone behind to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
"What a crazy game. To come back in the way we did is just extremely pleasing and makes me proud of the group, proud of the boys," England record scorer Kane said.
"Tough game and for myself, personally, one of my favourites in an England shirt now. To get a couple of goals and help the team over the line is obviously a magical, magical feeling."
Belgium's exploits took the last-gasp drama to extremes and even co-hosts the US did not have their victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina secured until Malik Tillman's 82nd-minute goal for 2-0.
The Bosnians had been emboldened to try to find an equalizer by opening goalscorer Folarin Balogun's controversial red card for serious foul play after video review on 64 minutes.
US coach Mauricio Pochettino said: "When Balogun received the red card, I thought that is the moment we need to show we are a team and the eyes of the players were [saying], 'Coach, we are ready to go and fight' and that is amazing.
"These guys are creating a legacy in this country and with our amazing fans everything is possible. Why not us?"
Why there are so many late goals in North America comes down to a number of factors, including heat making defences tire at the end of games, especially those who have had their backs to the wall for long periods.
The quality of the likes of Haaland, Lukaku and Kane - in a knock-out situation where every sinew is being directed at trying to win - means late goals are likely to continue in a World Cup with a record 104 games.
Belgium's Lukaku hardly played during the league season for Napoli due to injury but has twice come off the bench to great effect at the World Cup.
"You can never stop believing. That’s something I’ve learned during my career," Belgium's record goalscorer said.
"That’s how it is. Our team spirit helped us turn the game around."
