There is a delicious irony in the image that will linger from Belgium’s stunning 3-2 win over Senegal.
No Controversial penalty in 120+4th minute. Not even the winning goal that sent Belgium into the last 16 of the World Cup. Yuri Tielemans hugged Leandro Trossard’s equalizer in the 89th minute, after the pair spent much of the second half arguing over crosses.
Belgium were staring at elimination. Senegal took a 2-0 lead in the first half through Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr either side of him. The Golden Generation’s final World Cup challenge appeared to be ending in Seattle.
Disappointment then spread.
Also read | Congolese coach shocked by news of father’s death at press conference after WC exit
Earlier in the second half, Tielemans had opted to shoot an early delivery into the box towards Romelu Lukaku rather than take possession through midfield. Trossard was furious as a wrong decision. By the cooling break, the differences had escalated into such a heated conflict that teammates, including Lukaku, had to part ways.
At the time, Belgium looked set to collapse in yet another World Cup. But Lukaku gave them hope with a close-range finish in the 86th minute, as Belgium came from two goals down at the time and stayed in the World Cup. Then, three minutes later, Trossard turned left and delivered a cross. Tielemans arrived late, as he has done throughout his career, and drove a header beyond the goalkeeper.
Youri Tielemans (8) of Belgium celebrates after scoring a penalty. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
The move they argued about became Belgium’s way back into the game.
Story continues below this ad
Extra time brought a final twist. Deep into extra time, Tielemans burst into the area and Lamin went down under a challenge from Cama. Senegal protested strongly as the referee consulted VAR. After a lengthy review, the spot-kick was awarded.
On 120+4 minutes, with the match poised on a knife’s edge, Tielemans calmly slotted home the penalty corner to complete one of the World Cup’s most dramatic comebacks.
It was Tielemans’ best performance: understated, intelligent and decisive. This is the story of his career.
When Belgium’s golden generation emerged, the spotlight inevitably fell on the genius of Eden Hazard, the vision of Kevin De Bruyne, the brilliance of Thibaut Courtois and the goals of Lukaku. Tielemans, though recognized as a prodigy from the age of 16, often felt like a forgotten member of that remarkable group.
They have surpassed almost everyone else.
Story continues below this ad
Now 29, he represents a bridge between Belgium’s fading golden generation and a team trying to build its next chapter. He made his debut for Anderlecht as a teenager, becoming one of the youngest players to play in the Champions League and fulfilling expectations that would have crushed many talented youngsters. Yet, unlike many prodigies, he just kept evolving.
His journey is not linear. Monaco threatened to end his career dead before Leicester City revived it. His thunderbolt in the 2021 FA Cup final secured the club’s first major trophy, only for relegation two years later. Again, Tielemans adapted.
At Aston Villa, Unai Emery has transformed him from an attacking-minded No.10 into one of the most complete midfield conductors in Europe. He presses, drives the tempo, controls transition and still has a knack for being in the right place at the right time.
That professionalism has long defined it. Away from the pitch, Tielemans has never cultivated celebrity. Instead he is known for meticulous preparation, study of opponents, obsession with recovery and embrace of the less glamorous aspects of elite football.
Story continues below this ad
That’s why Tuesday night’s comeback felt so fitting. After spending an hour arguing about the value of a cross, the midfielder finally scored a goal.
For a footballer who has spent much of his career quietly proving people wrong, the sequence from 86 minutes to 120+4 was another reminder that his greatest quality was never spectacular passing or thunderous shooting. He has a remarkable ability to turn difficult moments into defining moments.