"It Hurts": Senegal Coach Takes High Road After VAR Penalty Ends World Cup Dream

Pape Thiaw refused to blame the referee after a 106th-minute VAR penalty sealed Senegal's elimination. His team had led 2-0. Belgium scored twice in three minutes to force extra time, then won it from the spot.

Match Snapshot

• Final Score3-2 (AET)
• Senegal's Lead2-0 (85')
• Belgium Comeback3 minutes
• VAR Review Time4 minutes
• Penalty Awarded106'
• Senegal Record1W-3L

The Dignity in Defeat

Pape Thiaw walked off the field in Seattle with his team eliminated, but he wasn't about to give anyone a headline. Asked about the penalty that ended Senegal's World Cup, the coach shut it down immediately.

"I'm not going to comment on the referee's decision. We are eliminated. And it hurts, for sure," Thiaw told FIFA in his post-match interview. "We have to congratulate the opposing team. Unfortunately we couldn't manage our 2-0 lead. They came back in the second half, it wasn't easy. Then there was the penalty. That's how it happens."

It was a masterclass in restraint. Senegal had controlled the first half and led 2-0 until the 85th minute. Then Belgium scored twice in three minutes, forcing extra time. At the 102nd minute, Camara's sliding tackle on Tielemans in the box caught the attention of VAR official Rodolpho Toski. Honduran referee Said Martinez initially waved play on, but after two minutes of review, he was called to the monitor.

Two more minutes of video replay. At the 106th minute, Martinez pointed to the spot. Tielemans converted. 3-2. Senegal's tournament was over.

How Senegal Let It Slip

• 45' Senegal leads 2-0 at halftime — Dominant first half performance
• 85' Belgium pulls one back — Still 2-1 with minutes remaining
• 88' Belgium equalizes — Two goals in three minutes force extra time
• 102' Camara tackles Tielemans in the box — Martinez waves play on initially
• 104' VAR review begins — Toski recommends penalty after two minutes
• 106' Penalty awarded and converted — Tielemans scores, Belgium leads 3-2
• 120' Final whistle — Senegal eliminated from World Cup

The Collapse

Thiaw acknowledged the physical toll. "There were moments when we had physical problems, players who were tired and couldn't keep going," he said. "But once we lost the lead after having the advantage, we should have held on. Now we have to accept it. There's no other way. That's football."

Senegal's tournament ends with one win against Iraq and three losses—to France and Norway in Group I, plus this Round of 16 heartbreak. Belgium advances to face the winner of United States vs. Bosnia.

According to Globo's refereeing consultant PC Oliveira, the penalty call was correct. But Thiaw wasn't biting. "Everyone will have their interpretation. I'm not getting into this referee controversy. Let's just congratulate Belgium for qualifying and leave it at that."

What Decided It

• Belgium's resilience: Two goals in three minutes (85', 88') after trailing 2-0 for most of the match
• VAR intervention: Four minutes of total review time before the 106th-minute penalty was awarded
• Physical fatigue: Thiaw cited tired players who couldn't maintain their early dominance
• Camara's tackle: The sliding challenge on Tielemans that Martinez initially missed but VAR deemed a foul
• Senegal's lead management: Unable to close out a two-goal cushion with five minutes remaining in regulation

FAQ

The call took four minutes of total VAR review—two minutes before Martinez was called to the monitor, then two more watching replays. He initially waved play on when Camara tackled Tielemans at the 102nd minute, but reversed his decision at 106' after video review. Globo's PC Oliveira backed the penalty call as correct.

Belgium scored twice in three minutes (85' and 88') to erase Senegal's advantage and force extra time. Thiaw cited physical fatigue and his team's inability to manage the game in those crucial final moments of regulation.

Belgium advances to the Round of 8 to play the winner of United States vs. Bosnia, scheduled for later the same day at 21:00 Brasília time.

One win (vs. Iraq) and three losses (vs. France, Norway in the group stage, and Belgium in the Round of 16). They finished second in Group I before this elimination.