SEATTLE — Habib Diarra knocked a rebound past Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the 25th minute to lead Senegal to a 1-0 halftime lead in their round of 32 game on Wednesday.
Diarra’s goal came after a cross from Sadio Mane saw Ismaila Sarr hit the goalpost for the second time in the first half. This time, it ricocheted perfectly to Diarra, with the Sunderland midfielder easily converting his second goal of the 2026 World Cup.
Senegal’s speed and agility were on full display with the Lions of Teranga continually attacking the flanks and sending balls into the box. Courtois made a diving save to help thwart Sarr’s first attempt in the 12th minute.
Belgium ratcheted up the pressure in the closing minutes of the half, with Maxim De Cuyper and Jeremy Doku forcing strong saves by Senegal goalkeeper Mory Diaw.
The winner will return to Seattle for a round of 16 match on July 6 against the winner of Wednesday night’s matchup between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Making his 17th World Cup start for the Red Devils, Belgium star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne sent his only shot of the first half well over the goal.
NOTES: Belgium finished atop Group G, while Senegal claimed the last of eight third-place spots in the round of 32 after posting one win and two losses with a plus-two goal differential in Group I. … While Belgium used the same starting lineup from their group-stage finale, Senegal made three changes. Pathe Ciss, Iliman Ndiaye and Pape Gueye were in the starting XI with Abdoulaye Seck, Ibrahim Mbaye and Lamine Camara on the bench.
–Derek Harper, Field Level Media
