Youri Tielemans scored twice as Belgium came from 2-0 down to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time in the World Cup round of 32.
The Aston Villa midfielder headed Belgium level late in normal time before converting a dramatic extra-time penalty, with AP reporting that his 125th-minute winner was the latest goal in World Cup history.
The Guardian’s match report also recorded Tielemans’ decisive role as Belgium survived a chaotic knockout tie in Seattle.
For Aston Villa, the story is not simply Belgium’s survival. It is another example of Tielemans taking command when the match is at its most hostile.
Tielemans Gives Aston Villa Another Pressure Signal
Romelu Lukaku began Belgium’s comeback in the 86th minute before Tielemans equalised shortly afterwards. AP then noted that Tielemans completed the turnaround from the spot in extra time after a VAR review.
That sequence gives Unai Emery another useful piece of evidence. Tielemans is still willing to step forward in the highest-pressure moments.
Read Aston Villa had already covered how Tielemans captained Belgium against Iran during the group stage. This Senegal tie took the leadership thread further.
Amadou Onana also entered in extra time, giving Villa a second direct stake in Belgium’s wild finish.
Emery will not want needless extra minutes for key players during a long summer tournament. Tielemans’ workload still needs monitoring, especially with Belgium now heading deeper into the competition.
But the football upside is clear.
Tielemans has given Villa another World Cup reminder of his authority, nerve and game-state intelligence. Belgium needed control, leadership and execution. Their Villa midfielder supplied all three.
Belgium will now face the United States in the last 16 after surviving one of the tournament’s most dramatic knockout ties.
