Scandal in Belgium vs Senegal: Archivo VAR calls 120th-minute penalty a mistake

Belgium’s victory over Senegal in the playoff stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has taken a scandalous turn. The decisive penalty in the 120+5th minute, converted by Youri Tielemans, drew sharp criticism from the Archivo VAR project.

Belgium produced an incredible comeback against Senegal and won 3-2 after extra time, but the key episode of the match became the subject of serious debate.

The incident in question was the penalty awarded in the closing stages of extra time. Belgium captain Youri Tielemans converted the spot-kick, scoring the winning goal and sending his team into the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.

However, according to Archivo VAR, the referees’ decision was wrong, and the VAR intervention was excessive.

Archivo VAR: “This is not a penalty”

In its analysis of the controversial episode, Archivo VAR noted that Tielemans himself placed his leg in front of the movement of Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara, which led to the contact.

According to the project, the Belgian midfielder fully initiated the collision, and therefore the incident should not have resulted in a penalty.

“Tielemans puts his leg in front of Camara’s movement, which results in contact. This is not a penalty,” Archivo VAR said in its assessment.

It was also noted that even if the referee had initially decided not to award a penalty, such a decision would not have looked like a clear and obvious error. Therefore, VAR did not have sufficient grounds to intervene.

Excessive VAR intervention?

Archivo VAR’s main complaint concerns not only the decision itself, but also the fact that, in its view, the video assistant referees intervened too actively in the incident.

Critics believe the episode did not meet the “clear and obvious error” criterion, which should be the key standard for VAR intervention. There was indeed contact, but according to Archivo VAR, it was provoked by Tielemans himself.

As a result, the controversial penalty became the decisive moment of the match. Belgium defeated Senegal 3-2, despite trailing 0-2 as late as the 86th minute.

However, it should be added that the foul itself did look worthy of a penalty.

Belgium advance, Senegal eliminated after controversial decision

After Youri Tielemans converted the penalty, Belgium completed one of the most dramatic comebacks of the 2026 World Cup and advanced to the Round of 16.

Senegal, who were just minutes away from victory, left the tournament after a match in which the decisive episode will be discussed by fans and experts for a long time.