VOTE: Youri Tielemans makes history - but was referee correct to give Belgium penalty after VAR check in dramatic 2026 World Cup win over Senegal?

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Youri Tielemans made history when he scored the latest goal in FIFA World Cup history - a controversial penalty that broke Senegal hearts as Belgium completed a comeback to reach the last 16. Was it a foul? Have your say!

Camara Lamine midfielder of Senegal, Tielemans Youri midfielder of Belgium during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at the Lumen Field stadium on July 01, 2026 in Seattle, USA, 1/07/2026.

Image credit: Getty Images

The Red Devils had been trailing 2-0 with just five minutes of normal time remaining after goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr.

Half-time substitute Romelu Lukaku scored from Thomas Meunier's cross to halve the deficit, though, before Tielemans headed in from Leandro Trossard to send the tie into extra time.

The flashpoint came when Lamine Camara lunged to divert a low cross away from danger, catching Tieleman in the process.

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Despite Belgium's appeals, the referee Said Martinez waved play on in real time. After being sent to the monitor by VAR, the officials ruled that Camara had made contact with Tielemans as both players slid in.

Senegal reacted furiously, with defender Pathe Ciss deciding to go to ground on the penalty spot. The gap between the start of the review and Tielemans’ eventual kick stretched to seven minutes.

Tielemans made no mistake as he slotted his penalty into the top right corner, as Belgium snatched victory with 124 minutes and 44 seconds on the clock.

But what do you think?

Former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville disagreed with the decision. He told ITV: "I genuinely don't believe that is a penalty. I think if Tielemans gets a touch on the ball and then gets kicked, fair enough."

Roy Keane added: "The penalty is a bit harsh and the referee took so long to look at the screen. You want conviction in the referee's decision and he was hesitating for a long time."

However, Senegal's head coach Pape Thiaw had no complaints.

He told reporters: "I prefer not to interpret the situation, because opinions on penalties can vary. The referee judged that it was a penalty. So, while some might say it wasn't one, I prefer not to comment on or interpret the referee's decision."

Thiaw, though, admitted that it was a missed opportunity for his Senegal side.

"For sure the match was in our hands. We were winning 2–0, but then we dropped back a bit towards the end," he continued.

"I think we were trying to hold onto the lead. Once we conceded the goal that made it 2-1, we sat back even more, and they scored their second. It wasn't easy after that.

"We tried to lift morale and inject some more energy into the team, but unfortunately, it didn't work out. It’s definitely tough, because the team gave it their all.

"They really wanted to qualify for our people, we all did, but it just wasn't meant to be."

Belgium can now look forward to a last-16 match with either co-hosts United States or Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday, July 7, in Seattle.

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