FIFA World Cup LIVE: Diarra strikes early to give Senegal lead over Belgium

Senegal holds the advantage at the break! Habib Diarra’s 25th-minute strike separates the sides after a dominant first-half display from the African giants. Belgium grew into the game late on but found Senegal keeper Mory Diaw in inspired form. Grab a drink, we'll be back in 15 minutes!

What a hit, and what a save! A clever Belgium corner ends with De Cuyper striking a beautiful 25-yard volley. Diaw shows incredible athleticism, diving full-stretch to his left to punch it clear.

SAVE! A lucky escape for Senegal just before halftime. Doku passes up a shooting opportunity to attempt a cross, which deflects heavily off the tracking Jakobs. The ball balloons awkwardly toward the net, forcing Diaw into a brilliant adjustment save as he reverses his momentum to claim the looping ball.

Belgium are desperately searching for an equalizer before the break. They are finally beginning to poke holes in the Senegal defense and find pockets of space, but Domenico Tedesco's men are completely lacking a clinical edge. They are struggling heavily in the final third.

Senegal are putting on a masterclass in possession right now! Another sequence of breathtaking, one-touch passing splits the Belgian defense wide open. Sadio Mané finds himself free inside the box and unleashes a strike, but he can't get enough power behind it. Thibaut Courtois safely holds onto the shot to deny a second.

35’ | Belgium 0-1 Senegal

Senegal take a fully deserved lead! It all starts with another pinpoint cross from Sadio Mané on the left flank. Ismaïla Sarr rises brilliantly, arching backward to loop a powerful header over Thibaut Courtois. The ball rattles violently off the post, but Habib Diarra is the sharpest man in the box—he reacts instantly to tap the rebound into an empty net. The Lions of Teranga are ahead!

Idrissa Gana Gueye lets fly from distance here at Seattle Field, but his effort fails to trouble the goalkeeper and sails off target. Senegal keeping up the pressure!

Jakobs whips in a brilliant cross from the left that causes chaos. Thibaut Courtois uncharacteristically fluffs his clearance, punching it straight to Ismaïla Sarr. Sarr can't get a clean connection on the volley, and his scuffed effort slams side of the post!

13’ | Belgium 0-0 Senegal

Brilliant counter-attack from Belgium! Leandro Trossard sparks the break from deep and drives forward to finish the move himself. He gets a shot on target, but it's a routine save for the Senegal goalkeeper.

All Senegal right now! They look incredibly sharp. Ndiaye uses some dazzling footwork to open up space for a shot, but the Belgium defence recovers to block. Immediately after, Diarra threatens with a brilliant run in behind, but the pass has just too much weight on it.

High-intensity start from both sides! Senegal is immediately looking to feed Sadio Mané out wide on the left.

The referee blows the whistle and we are officially rolling in this Round of 32 clash!

Belgium secured their place in the knockout rounds after an unbeaten, albeit mixed, group stage campaign. The Red Devils got off to a slow start with back-to-back draws against Egypt (1-1) and Iran (0-0), but they emphatically found their form in their final match by thrashing New Zealand 5-1 to storm into the next round.

Senegal secured their path to the knockout rounds by finishing third in their group. After suffering back-to-back defeats against heavyweights France (3-1) and Norway (3-2), the Teranga Lions bounced back spectacularly in their final match by thrashing Iraq 5-0 to keep their tournament hopes alive.

Belgium: Thibaut Courtois, Arthur Theate, Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper, Timothy Castagne, Youri Tielemans (C), Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Leandro Trossard, Hans Vanaken, Charles De Ketelaere.

Senegal: Mory Diaw, Pathé Ciss, Moussa Niakhaté, Ismail Jakobs, Krepin Diatta, Idrissa Gueye (C), Pape Gueye, Habib Diarra, Ismaïla Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye, Sadio Mané.