England, undefeated and without distractions, faces DR Congo

Historic comeback in Seattle

Belgium erased a two-goal deficit and sealed its place in the round of 16 with a penalty in the 125th minute. It was the latest score in World Cup history.

Senegal led 2-0 until the 85th minute of regulation time. Goals from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans forced extra time. Tielemans then converted a penalty in the 125th minute to give his team the victory.

“Being part of this comeback is a proud moment because I scored the last two goals to give the team the victory today,” said Tielemans.

The penalty came after a video-reviewed foul in the final seconds. Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, avoided controversy.

“I don’t want to interpret the decision. We all have different interpretations when it comes to scoring a penalty,” Thiaw said.

Belgium is the second team in the last 11 World Cups to come back from two goals in the knockout phase. The other was also Belgium, against Japan in 2018.

Cruel outcome for Senegal

Senegal dominated much of the match. Habib Diarra opened the scoring in the first half and Ismaïla Sarr expanded at the beginning of the second half with a great goal. Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made three key saves.

Senegalese defender Krépin Diatta regretted the outcome.

“It shouldn’t have happened. You have to defend the area. We suffer, but we have to continue. It’s a shame,” he said.

Lukaku praised his team’s reaction.

“This Senegal is one of the best teams in the tournament. Technically, physically and tactically, it was really tough. But when we raised the intensity, our team spirit shone,” he said.

Belgium advances to the second round for the third time in four World Cups. They will face the United States on Monday in Seattle. Senegal, for its part, says goodbye after a solid performance.

Belgian coach Rudi Garcia recognized the rival’s merit.

“Senegal deserved to win. They are the best African nation. They showed even against France. I would have preferred not to play against them,” he concluded.

A wall in the arch

Atlanta, USA. — Lionel Mpasi stopped almost everything. With the right hand, with the left, even below the waist. Jude Bellingham hugged him in respect as the goalkeeper lay on the grass with the ball safe.

But in the end, he couldn’t beat Harry Kane. The English striker scored two goals in the final minutes, the winning one in the 86th, as England won 2-1 and advanced to the round of 16. Thus one of the biggest surprises in the history of the World Cup was cut short.

“I offered my body to science,” Mpasi said with a wry smile. “We knew that Harry Kane is a super striker and that we had to focus on him. It’s a shame that twice we paid a little less attention to him.”

The 31-year-old goalkeeper, born in France but representing the country of his parents, finished with five saves. The most painful came near the end of the first half, when he dived to deflect a shot from Kane after a cross to the far post. He received the impact between the waist and thigh.

“It’s my job to help the team and make saves,” he declared in French. “Luckily, I was able to make a few. I would have loved to have stopped the two that ended in a goal.”

Congo had already made history by qualifying for its second World Cup — the first was in 1974, when it was still called Zaire and lost 9-0 to Yugoslavia. This time there was no shame. Much of the credit went to Mpasi, a former high-performance athlete in athletics in his youth, today a goalkeeper for French clubs.

“I’m just proud: proud of my country, proud of my team,” he said. “We fought until the end of the game.”

Mpasi’s performance reminded the world of the potential of Congolese football. Although he did not achieve victory, his dedication left its mark.

Impact on the Seleção

Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paquetá limped off the field at half-time in Brazil’s final match. A thigh injury will sideline him for the round of 16 match against Norway.

Paquetá was substituted early in the second half in the 2-1 victory over Japan on Monday. His absence represents a blow to the team, which will face Norway on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The player has been a key player in the Seleção midfield. His loss forces the coaching staff to look for alternatives. The team’s adaptation to a difficult opponent will be the main challenge.

Brazil will have to adjust its strategy without one of its most outstanding players at a critical moment in the tournament. Every decision now counts.