Senegal strike twice, Belgium in danger of exit in round of 32

Belgium are in danger of getting knocked out in the round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup as Senegal have taken a healthy 2-0 lead at the Seattle Stadium.

Ismaila Sarr scored with a sumptuous take and a powerful finish in the 51st minute after Habib Diarra's 24th-minute opener. Sarr, who assisted Diarra’s goal, controlled a Moussa Niakhate’s long ball gracefully on his chest before firing past a stranded Thibaut Courtois.

The second goal forced Rudi Garcia to make a couple of bold substitutions by taking off Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku. Romelu Lukaku, who started on the bench, had been summoned at half time.

Diarra had been at the right place to turn in the opener after Sarr’s glancing header came off the upright from a Sadio Mane cross. Diarra, who was alert to the situation, poked it past Courtois.

In three earlier round of the 32 matches, in which African nations faced European opponents, the latter won twice. Senegal would aim to help Africa achieve parity with Europe as they take on Belgium in Seattle.

Morocco’s stunning shootout win over the Netherlands is the only African win over a European opposition in the knockout stages so far. In the previous match on the day, England survived a scare from DR Congo to advance, with Harry Kane scoring twice.

Erling Haaland scored in a 2-1 win over Norway over the Ivory Coast, sending out a second African side from nine that advanced from the group stages.