Senegal fall to Belgium in extra time as Garcia backlash grows

Senegal out, and the penalty stings

Your World Cup is over. Belgium 3–2 Senegal after extra time at Lumen Field on Wednesday, and the winning goal came from a penalty that still does not sit right (1)(10). Kevin De Bruyne slotted it in, and just like that, the round of 16 became the end of the road.

Dutch journalist Valentijn Driessen did not hold back: "Senegal is genaaid, ze hadden wat mij betreft weer van het veld mogen lopen", Senegal got screwed, they should have walked off again (10).

Garcia's words keep burning

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia is in damage control. After the match, he said teams like Senegal "lose their tactical structure toward the end" (2)(3). The backlash was immediate, accusations of racism, sharp criticism from across the game.

Garcia backtracked Thursday: "Het was niet gericht aan een Afrikaans land", it was not aimed at an African country (2)(3). He insists it was a general observation, not a verdict on Senegal or any African side (4)(8).

Jérome Rothen, the former French international, piled on from a different angle. He called out Senegal's conduct after the final whistle: "L'image renvoyée est terrible", the image sent out is terrible (11). Rothen said your team came across as bad losers.

Courtois almost did not play

Thibaut Courtois was a doubt right up until kickoff. His participation against Senegal "hinged on a silk thread," according to Belgian reports (6). The goalkeeper played anyway, made his saves, and afterwards was asked about Real Madrid teammates Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. His reply: "Que sigan metiendo goles", let them keep scoring (9).

The Belgian federation is planning talks with Courtois after the World Cup. He may step away from the national team entirely (6).

Even Wimbledon noticed

Belgian tennis player Zizou Bergs had a 2am finish against Jaime Faria at Wimbledon, but the first thing he did in the morning was check the Belgium–Senegal score. Then he walked out in a red Belgian football shirt (12).

Fan reactions

The mood among supporters online is frustration mixed with bitterness. A widely shared clip shows the fourth official removing a towel placed by the Senegalese goalkeeper during the match, a moment many fans see as emblematic of how the night went. You can watch it here.