“They put honey in my mouth, then added bitter kola” -Senegalese fan tells Neusroom after painful World Cup exit to Belgium

Senegal’s 2026 FIFA World Cup dream ended in the cruellest way imaginable on Wednesday night, as the Lions of Teranga threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Belgium after extra time in their Round of 32 clash at Seattle Stadium in the USA.

For more than 80 minutes, Pape Thiaw’s side looked to be cruising into the Round of 16. Habib Diarra fired them ahead in the first half, and Ismaïla Sarr doubled the advantage to leave Belgium’s Red Devils staring down a shock exit.

Romelu Lukaku pulled one back in the 86th minute, and Youri Tielemans levelled just three minutes later to force extra time. With penalties looming, Tielemans held his nerve to convert a controversial spot-kick in the 125th minute, one of the latest winning goals in World Cup history, completing a remarkable comeback and knocking Senegal out.

For fans who had already begun celebrating, the collapse was almost too painful to bear. Speaking to Neusroom from the United States in the early hours of Thursday morning, a devastated Senegalese supporter, Aisha, placed the blame squarely on the coaching staff.

“How do you bottle a two-goal lead? The coach was making rubbish changes,” she said. “Who cursed African teams? How do you concede two goals with less than 10 minutes left to play? Senegal put honey for my mouth, then added bitter cola.”

Her anguish reflected a wider heartbreak across the continent, with another African side falling at the first knockout hurdle after holding a commanding position. Earlier in the day, DR Congo led the Three Lions of England for most of the game before conceding two late goals from Harry Kane to get knocked out of the World Cup.

Belgium and England march on to the Round of 16. For Senegal and Congo, it is the end of the road — and the beginning of some very hard questions.