Belgium and Senegal battle for a round of 16 place at the World Cup – and a possible meeting with co-hosts the United States in Seattle.
An intriguing encounter brings together the Group G winners and third place finisher in Group I – though it could well be a closer clash than those facts might suggest. Belgium rather stuttered out of the starting blocks at this tournament and only found form and fluency against New Zealand, while Senegal showed their attacking prowess with a 5-0 thrashing of Iraq after tough fixtures with France and Norway.
The pressure feels on a Belgian team hoping to enjoy a last hurrah at this tournament, with a so-called “Golden Generation” having fallen short of success on this stage in the past. Can Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and the rest conjure the sort of campaign required to make a run at the trophy? Or will Senegal end their hopes in the first knockout round?
Follow all of the latest from the World Cup clash with our live blog below:
Belgium 0-2 Senegal
54 mins: That goal means Senegal are two up against Belgium and they should be enough.
Belgium haven’t offered enough for me to say they can get themselves back into this match.
It’ll be a very tricky task for them now.
GOAL! Belgium 0-2 Senegal (Ismaila Sarr, 51′)
This is a cracker from Ismaila Sarr. He times his run beautifully in between the centre-halves as a simple ball comes over the top.
Sarr’s first touch brings the ball down and he rattles it into the bottom corner.
Courtois has no chance and Senegal double their lead!
Belgium 0-1 Senegal
48 mins: Mane hooks a cross in from the left and the attempted clearance comes to Ndiaye who whips a shot wide of the far post.
Romelu Lukaku has been brought on for Belgium.
Second half! Belgium 0-1 Senegal
Senegal get the game back underway. Can they hold onto or improve their lead?
Incredible Kane justifies Tuchel decision but England have huge World Cup questions to answer
Earlier in the day, England reached the last-16 having beaten DR Congo 2-1.
Here’s the report from Atlanta Stadium from The Independent’s Miguel Delaney:
HT Belgium 0-1 Senegal
Though they have had less possession than Belgium, Senegal have made it count.
They’ve had seven attempts with three of them on target and one goal scored.
They’ve also been quicker and sharper. A deserved lead for the African team.
Half-time! Belgium 0-1 Senegal
45+5 mins: The whistle goes to end the first half just after a free kick from Maxim de Cuyper is blazed into the Senegalese wall.
Belgium head into the break trailing by one goal to nil.
Belgium 0-1 Senegal
45+3 mins: Ndiaye tries to find some room on the right and manages to ping a ball inside towards Pape Gueye.
He stretches and pokes the ball towards goal but gets the angle slightly wrong and it goes wide.
Belgium 0-1 Senegal
45 mins: A Belgium corner oomes to nothing as five added minutes are announced for the first half.
