SEATTLE (Kashmir English): Belgium defeated Senegal in the round of 32 knockout match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to qualify for the pre-quarterfinals.
In the match played in Seattle, Belgium defeated Senegal by 3 goals to 2. In the first half of the regular and extra time, the two teams were tied at 2 goals each.
However, the decisive goal for Belgium was scored by Telemans on a penalty kick in the last minutes of extra time.
With this success, Belgium advanced to the next stage, where it will face even tougher competition. On the other hand, the Senegalese team was eliminated from the tournament despite its best efforts.
Asia’s all teams out of ongoing FIFA World Cup
After Japan’s elimination at the hands of Brazil, all Asian teams are now out of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Australia, from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), however, are still in the global competition but they are not an Asian nation.
Asia sent its largest-ever contingent to the global event— nine teams. Now, only one remains, and they even don’t belong to the continent.
The Asian teams’ performance remained damning. Iraq conceded 12 goals, scoring just once.
Uzbekistan conceded 11, scoring twice. Qatar conceded 10, scoring twice. Jordan conceded eight, scoring three. Saudi Arabia conceded five, scored one. South Korea scored two and conceded three. Iran, the only team among the seven to avoid defeat, conceded three and scored three.
Together, the seven eliminated Asian teams won just one match, drew six and lost 14. Collectively, they scored 14 goals and conceded 52.
Four teams finished with one point or less. Three teams finished with zero. Qatar, the two-time defending Asian champions, managed just one point from a draw with Switzerland. Uzbekistan, Jordan and Iraq finished with nothing.
The expanded format was supposed to be a best chance for Asian nations to prove their skills, instead, it exposed a continent that has not progressed as quickly as its quota suggests.
