WORLD CUP INSANITY: 125th min history as VAR controversy ices bizarre, wild escape act

Senegal appeared on course for a first win in a World Cup knockout match since their 2002 debut after taking a 2-0 lead through strikes from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr in Seattle.

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However, Belgium forced extra time as Romelu Lukaku and Tielemans scored in the final five minutes, before the Aston Villa midfielder completed a remarkable turnaround by converting a penalty in the 125th minute.

Belgium go through to a potential meeting with the United States, who face Bosnia and Herzegovina later on Wednesday, but it will be a bitterly painful pill to swallow for Senegal.

A defeat would surely have signalled the end of the road for the last remnants of Belgium’s golden generation — Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and perhaps Thibaut Courtois — but instead they live to fight another day.

‘ABSOLUTE DISGRACE’: Penalty furore erupts as Kane rescues England in WC nailbiter

After a 5-1 win over New Zealand that clinched top spot for Belgium in Group G, Rudi Garcia named an unchanged side with Atalanta forward Charles De Ketelaere leading the attack and Lukaku on the bench.

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw made three changes to the side that thrashed Iraq 5-0, which allowed them to squeak through as the last of the eight best third-place teams.

Pape Gueye started after scoring twice as a substitute in that match, while Pathe Ciss and Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye came into the line-up.

Senegal nearly went ahead through the in-form Sarr, who hit the post after Courtois inadvertently diverted a cross into the Crystal Palace forward’s path.

The Lions of Teranga did take the lead, however, when Sarr’s header from Sadio Mane’s cross came back off the same post, with Diarra reacting quickest to turn the rebound home.

Belgium’s best chance of the half fell to Maxim De Cuyper, whose curling effort from outside the area drew an outstanding full-stretch save from Mory Diaw.

Diaw was again filling in for Edouard Mendy, who returned to Saudi Arabia for tests on a knee injury he suffered in Senegal’s second game of the tournament.

– Belgian fightback –

Belgium unsurprisingly turned to their all-time leading scorer at the interval, with Lukaku having already proven his value as a substitute against Egypt and New Zealand in the group phase.

But Belgium fell further behind six minutes into the second half when Sarr chested down Moussa Niakhate’s long pass over the defence before firing an emphatic finish beyond Courtois.

De Bruyne and Doku were hauled off as Belgium appeared to be heading out, with Tielemans and Trossard needing to be separated at the second-half hydration break after a fiery argument.

It appeared to be a turning point as Lukaku — limited to barely an hour’s play with Napoli this season — grabbed his team a lifeline in the 86th minute.

He swept home from a Thomas Meunier cross and, just three minutes later, Belgium were level. Diaw failed to deal with Leandro Trossard’s delivery into the box and Tielemans held off two defenders to nod into an empty net.

Belgium substitute Dodi Lukebakio clipped the crossbar late in the second period of extra time as the match appeared destined for a penalty shootout.

But there was one final twist when Tielemans went down under a challenge from Lamine Camara, prompting referee Said Martinez to award a penalty after a VAR review.

“I think that’s really, really harsh on Senegal. They’ve had some pretty big decisions to against them, not just here but the Africa Cup of Nations as well,” co-commentator Craig Forrest said.

“Can you believe it? I can’t. It didn’t look likely, it really didn’t.”

Former England striker Dion Dublin said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “This is unbelievable. There is definitely contact.”

Chaos followed with a lengthy VAR review followed by a tussle in the penalty area, which led to Senegal’s Pathe Ciss claiming to have been elbowed as he collapsed over the penalty spot.

It was eventually cleared and Tielemans stepped up and dispatched with aplomb to cap a stunning fightback and break Senegalese hearts.

KANE RESCUES ENGLAND IN WC NAILBITER

Harry Kane rescued England from a seismic World Cup shock with two late goals to beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 in Atlanta and secure a place in the last 16.

Aiming to end a 60-year wait to win a major tournament, Thomas Tuchel’s men escaped humiliation and one of England’s worst ever World Cup exits thanks to their talismanic captain after Brian Cipenga’s early goal gave Congo an early lead.

But the Three Lions will need to improve for the daunting task of facing co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in the last 16 on Sunday.

Already England’s all-time top goalscorer in the competition, Kane now has 13 World Cup goals and moves onto five for the tournament to remain in the star-studded battle for the Golden Boot.

“What a crazy game, obviously,” said Kane.

“I think you have to stay patient in these games.

“Their keeper definitely made some unbelievable saves in that first half. And it was just about pounding the rock, keep pounding the rock, and our moments will come.” Defeat ended Congo’s fairytale run on their return to the World Cup for the first time in 52 years.

The Leopards had never even won a point or scored a goal at the World Cup until a few weeks ago, but had one of the tournament favourites teetering on the brink of elimination.

Tuchel made two changes from victory over Panama as Declan Rice return in midfield, while Djed Spence came in at right-back with Reece James and Jarell Quansah both ruled out through injury.

The German coach’s decision not to select more specialist right-back cover in a 26-man squad will face more scrutiny after Congo took the lead down that flank.

Spence was caught under Chancel Mbemba’s cross as the ball fell for Cipenga. The Almeria winger’s shot was low and hard but Jordan Pickford should still have kept it out at his near post.

The vast majority of the nearly 70,000 crowd decked out in England red and white were silenced, while Tuchel’s players were visibly rattled.

Jude Bellingham was shown a yellow card for a lunge lunge and was then involved in a heated exchange with his coach during the mid-half hydration break.

The stoppage in play at least allowed Tuchel the chance to restore order. Bellingham’s powerful header from Declan Rice’s cross finally forced DR Congo ‘keeper Lionel Mpasi into action.

Moments later Marcus Rashford’s powerful effort was blocked on the line by London-born Aaron Wan Bissaka after Noni Madueke’s jinking run opened up the Congo defence.

Yet it could have been even worse for England at the break.

Yoane Wissa’s three goals in the group stage fired his country to the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time and the Newcastle striker had a golden chance to double the DR Congo lead but hit the outside of the post from point-blank range.

At the other end, Kane was furious when he went down as he tried to round Mpasi but the referee refused to point to the spot.

Le Harve stopper Mpasi’s inspired afternoon continued as he flew to his right to parry another bullet header from Bellingham and then denied Kane from a corner with the last action of the first half.

After a bright start to the second period, England were beginning to run out of ideas until Tuchel unloaded his offensive weapons off the bench.

Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze were sent on by Tuchel in search of an equaliser.

And it was new Barcelona signing Gordon who provided the cross as Kane finally found a way past Mpasi with a downward header 15 minutes from time.

Gordon also got the assist for the 86th minute winner, but Kane did the hard work as he rifled a powerful drive into the roof of the net for his 84th international goal.