Belgium manager Rudi Garcia said his side would gain belief from its dramatic 3-2 win over Senegal on Wednesday as it seeks to advance beyond the World Cup last 16.

Players of Belgium applaud fans after the team's 3-2 victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo: AFP)

Senegal looked set for victory in the round of 32 clash at Seattle Stadium following goals either side of halftime from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr.

But Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans struck in the last five minutes to force an additional half hour before Tielemans put his side ahead with a 125th-minute penalty.

Romelu Lukaku #9 of Belgium reacts after scoring the team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo: AFP)

"Football is full of emotions," Garcia told a post-match news conference. "In the 83rd minute it wasn't easy to believe we could come back. At the hydration break I told the players that if we scored another goal, anything was possible.

"We did that and it opened the game up again. Both teams had opportunities in extra time, but the momentum was with us. We were well structured. This is a result that can make our group stronger."

Belgium will vie for a quarterfinal place against the United States at the same venue on Monday.

Garcia said rest was now his squad's top priority.

"We need to recover because 120 minutes is a lot on the legs," he said. "We saw the effects on the players at the end."

"Tonight we qualified for the round of 16 and now we'll see who we face. It doesn't matter. We're going to enjoy this victory and then prepare as well as we can."

The 62-year-old Frenchman reserved special praise for Senegal and admitted the team was unlucky to be eliminated.

"We played against an excellent Senegal side," he said. "It was the worst possible opponent for us in the round of 32. They have a lot of quality, they are fast and they pressed us very well.

"There were two excellent teams on the pitch today. Senegal would have deserved to reach the next round."