Belgium coach Rudi Garcia hailed captain Youri Tielemans after the midfielder's stoppage-time penalty completed a stunning 3-2 comeback win over Senegal in the FIFA World Cup 2026 last 32 on Wednesday (Jul 1). Senegal appeared to have booked their place in the next round as they led by two goals with just five minutes remaining, but Belgium staged a remarkable fightback through goals from Romelu Lukaku and Tielemans to force extra time in Seattle. Tielemans then kept his composure to slot home a penalty in the 125th minute, sending Belgium into the round of 16. The Aston Villa midfielder endured a long wait before taking the kick as Senegal players crowded the spot, but he calmly finished to cap an improbable turnaround for the Red Devils.

Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 live on Zee5

<h2>Belgium coach hails sensation come-from-behind win</h2>Garcia was full of praise for his captain after the match and said: "What matters is that Youri Tielemans had the composure and the quality. And once again, we have the experience to take that kind of penalty, because it's not easy."Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/this-team-did-not-accept-defeat-as-an-outcome-says-thomas-tuchel-after-england-beat-dr-congo-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-harry-kane-brace-1782943640002">‘This team did not accept defeat as an outcome': Tuchel on ENG entering last 16</a>"At 2-2, in the 120th minute or even later, when you're tired, and Youri was feeling it physically, to go and score that penalty is a difficult task. He succeeded. As a result, he has sent us through to the round of 16. Congratulations to our captain. I think he was outstanding."The coach also reflected on how the dramatic turnaround could galvanise his squad ahead of the next round. "Going 2-0 down and then coming back to make it 2-2 gives you a huge lift, and now the journey continues," he said."It's true that a scenario like this can bring a group even closer together. It can make the players realise that, until a match is over and the final whistle has blown, anything can happen - as we showed."Senegal coach Pape Thiaw, meanwhile, called the exit "cruel," saying his side had sat too deep after taking a 2-0 lead and were made to pay for it in the closing stages.

Belgium, down 0-2, staged a remarkable fightback through goals from Romelu Lukaku and Tielemans to force extra time in Seattle. Tielemans then kept his composure to slot home a penalty in the 125th minute.

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia hailed captain Youri Tielemans after the midfielder's stoppage-time penalty completed a stunning 3-2 comeback win over Senegal in the FIFA World Cup 2026 last 32 on Wednesday (Jul 1). Senegal appeared to have booked their place in the next round as they led by two goals with just five minutes remaining, but Belgium staged a remarkable fightback through goals from Romelu Lukaku and Tielemans to force extra time in Seattle. Tielemans then kept his composure to slot home a penalty in the 125th minute, sending Belgium into the round of 16. The Aston Villa midfielder endured a long wait before taking the kick as Senegal players crowded the spot, but he calmly finished to cap an improbable turnaround for the Red Devils.

Belgium, down 0-2, staged a remarkable fightback through goals from Romelu Lukaku and Tielemans to force extra time in Seattle. Tielemans then kept his composure to slot home a penalty in the 125th minute.

FIFA 2026 | Belgium coach Rudi Garcia hails captain Tielemans after come-from-behind win vs Senegal

We are in the midst of perhaps the greatest World Cup Golden Boot race of all time. Just a few weeks into this showpiece event in North America, the top global stars, all in their 20s and 30s, are fighting for that one prize that separates them from the rest. Be it Kylian Mbappé from France, Argentina’s icon Lionel Messi, England captain and star striker Harry Kane, or talismanic Norwegian attacker Erling Haaland, all lead the race for the most goals in the 2026 World Cup. Those seeking Cristiano Ronaldo's name must wait as the legendary goal-scorer is yet to shine in this tournament.<h3>Kane cuts gap with Mbappé, Messi</h3>England striker Harry Kane is having perhaps his greatest season as a professional footballer, having already amassed over 70 goals for his club and country combined. Earlier, sitting behind several top names with just three goals in as many outings in the group stages, Kane scored a brace against DR Congo in England's just-concluded outing and not only did it help them beat their African opponents and qualify for the Round of 16, but it also helped equal Haaland's tally (5) for most goals in four matches, one shy of the top spot attained by Mbappé and Messi (six goals each). &nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/this-team-did-not-accept-defeat-as-an-outcome-says-thomas-tuchel-after-england-beat-dr-congo-at-fifa-world-cup-2026-harry-kane-brace-1782943640002">‘This team did not accept defeat as an outcome,’ says Tuchel after England beat Congo at World Cup</a>&nbsp;Kane now has 13 World Cup goals, five shy of Mbappé’s overall tally thus far (18 and counting) and six of Messi’s record of 19 World Cup goals.

<h3>From where it all began</h3>Messi, however, started with a goal-scoring spree in this edition, clobbering six in his first three matches, including his maiden World Cup hat-trick in Argentina’s opener against Algeria. He added a brace to it against Austria before scoring his last against Jordan in the last group stage game. &nbsp;Hop to Mbappé, the French striker is having a ball at this edition, leading the tally for most contributions by any player so far. In four matches, he has scored six goals, tied with Messi, and assisted twice. He, however, is not the only French player to make headlines as his fellow winger Ousmane Dembele and attacking playmaker Michael Olise are turning heads too.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Live on Zee5

While Dembele is not far behind in goals, having netted four, including a first-half hat-trick against Norway, Olise has assisted five times in four matches.<h3>Keep an eye on Haaland and Ronaldo</h3>Haaland, on the other hand, has scored five goals in his debut World Cup, that too in only three matches. He is tied with Kane and just one shot from equalling the six-goal tally. Against Brazil, he might do that. &nbsp;And well, at the end, the one name remains, perhaps the greatest goal scorer of all time, Portugal’s talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. In three matches so far, he has found the net just twice, two behind Vinicius Jr from Brazil, who shall also not be forgotten. &nbsp;With the tournament entering the business end, only time will decide who stands tall.<h3>Golden Boot Race at FIFA World Cup 2026</h3><ul><li>Kylian Mbappé – 6 goals</li><li>Lionel Messi – 6 goals</li><li>Harry Kane – 5 goals</li><li>Erling Haaland – 5 goals</li><li>Ousmane Dembele – 4 goals</li><li>Vinicius Jr – 4 goals</li><li>Cristiano Ronaldo – 2 goals</li></ul>

Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland are locking horns in what promises to be the greatest World Cup Golden Boot race in history. Check out the latest goal standings and stats as the knockout rounds heat up.

We are in the midst of perhaps the greatest World Cup Golden Boot race of all time. Just a few weeks into this showpiece event in North America, the top global stars, all in their 20s and 30s, are fighting for that one prize that separates them from the rest. Be it Kylian Mbappé from France, Argentina’s icon Lionel Messi, England captain and star striker Harry Kane, or talismanic Norwegian attacker Erling Haaland, all lead the race for the most goals in the 2026 World Cup. Those seeking Cristiano Ronaldo's name must wait as the legendary goal-scorer is yet to shine in this tournament. Kane cuts gap with Mbappé, Messi England striker Harry Kane is having perhaps his greatest season as a professional footballer, having already amassed over 70 goals for his club and country combined. Earlier, sitting behind several top names with just three goals in as many outings in the group stages, Kane scored a brace against DR Congo in England's just-concluded outing and not only did it help them beat their African opponents and qualify for the Round of 16, but it also helped equal Haaland's tally (5) for most goals in four matches, one shy of the top spot attained by Mbappé and Messi (six goals each). Also read| ‘This team did not accept defeat as an outcome,’ says Tuchel after England beat Congo at World Cup Kane now has 13 World Cup goals, five shy of Mbappé’s overall tally thus far (18 and counting) and six of Messi’s record of 19 World Cup goals.

Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland are locking horns in what promises to be the greatest World Cup Golden Boot race in history. Check out the latest goal standings and stats as the knockout rounds heat up.

Messi vs Mbappe vs Kane vs Haaland: The greatest Golden Boot race ever

top-scorers-fifa-world-cup-2026

Top Scorers Fifa World Cup 2026, News on Top Scorers Fifa World Cup 2026, stories on Top Scorers Fifa World Cup 2026, articles on Top Scorers Fifa World Cup 2026, Top Scorers Fifa World Cup 2026 stories at Wion, Top Scorers Fifa World Cup 2026 news, Top Scorers Fifa World Cup 2026 latest news

top scorers-fifa-world-cup-2026

FIFA 2026 | Belgium coach Rudi Garcia hails captain Tielemans after come-from-behind win vs Senegal

Messi vs Mbappe vs Kane vs Haaland: The greatest Golden Boot race ever