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who did belgium beat to enter the top 32

Quick Scoop: Who Did Belgium Beat to Enter the Top 32?

Belgium didn’t need to beat a specific team just to “enter” the top 32 —they qualified for the knockout stage (the Round of 32) by finishing top of Group G at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their decisive group-stage win came against New Zealand , a 5–1 thrashing that sealed first place in the group and confirmed their spot in the last 32.

However, if you’re asking who they beat in the Round of 32 to advance further, that’s a different story: Belgium faced Senegal and staged a dramatic 3–2 comeback win after extra time, with Youri Tielemans scoring a 125th-minute penalty to complete the turnaround.

How Belgium Qualified for the Round of 32

Belgium’s path to the knockout rounds went like this in Group G:

  • Opened softly : They drew their first two group matches, leaving their qualification fate in the balance.
  • Decider vs. New Zealand : Needing a win to guarantee top spot, Belgium delivered a dominant display, scoring five goals. Leandro Trossard bagged a brace, while Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Alexis Saelemaekers also found the net.
  • Finished first : That result put Belgium ahead of Egypt on goal difference, securing their place in the Round of 32 as Group G winners.

So, to directly answer your question in context:

  • To enter the top 32 : Belgium beat New Zealand (5–1) in their final group match.
  • To advance from the top 32 : Belgium beat Senegal (3–2 after extra time) in the Round of 32.

The Senegal Comeback: A Round of 32 Thriller

Belgium’s Round of 32 clash with Senegal in Seattle turned into one of the tournament’s most talked-about matches:

  • Senegal led 2–0 deep into the match, looking poised to knock out the Red Devils.
  • Belgium roared back : They scored twice in the closing minutes of regulation to force extra time.
  • Tielemans’ heroics : In the 125th minute—deep into stoppage time of extra time—Youri Tielemans converted a penalty to complete a 3–2 comeback and send Belgium into the Round of 16.

This win kept Belgium’s World Cup dream alive and set up a high-stakes Round of 16 tie.

Mini Timeline: Belgium’s Knockout Qualification Journey

  1. Group Stage – Final Match
    • Opponent : New Zealand
    • Result : Belgium 5–1 New Zealand
    • Outcome : Belgium finish top of Group G, enter the Round of 32.
  1. Round of 32
    • Opponent : Senegal
    • Result : Belgium 3–2 Senegal (after extra time)
    • Outcome : Belgium advance to the Round of 16.

TL;DR

  • To enter the top 32 : Belgium beat New Zealand 5–1 in the group stage.
  • To progress from the top 32 : Belgium beat Senegal 3–2 after extra time in the Round of 32.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.