rewrite this title LIVE – Belgium v Senegal: Commentary, updates, goals and stats

Belgium will hope to silence the critics at home and secure a place in the round of 16 at the World Cup when they face Senegal tonight.

Rudi Garcia’s men have come under fire for a couple of disappointing performances against Egypt and Iran before they secured their place in the knockout phase with a 5-1 victory over New Zealand.

Senegal will present a much stiffer challenge than anything they have faced so far.

Pape Thiaw’s side also enjoyed a big win, 5-0 over Iraq, to reach this stage having been placed in a tough group that also contained France and Norway.

Where to watch Belgium v Senegal: TV channel, live online streams

Belgium versus Senegal kicks off tonight at 9pm UK time. You can watch it on ITV1 and stream on ITVX.

World Cup 2026: Belgium v Senegal stats

Belgium are the first team to top their group at the World Cup despite not winning either of their first two matches since the USA in 2010

They are unbeaten in 16 games across all competitions (W10) and earned their largest victory in a World Cup match with a 5-1 win over New Zealand on matchday three, scoring more goals in that game than across their previous seven at the finals (4)

Leandro Trossard scored twice against New Zealand and has created 13 chances, which is the most by any player in a World Cup group stage since Miralem Pjanic for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2014 (also 13)

All 13 of those chances were fashioned from open play, which is the most by any player overall in a single World Cup group since Enzo Scifo produced 15 for Belgium in 1994

Romelu Lukaku scored last time out and set up Alexis Saelemaekers’ goal as the striker moved to six goals and eight goal involvements (6 goals, 2 assists) at the World Cup action, giving the 33-year-old the most goals and goal involvements of any Belgium player at the finals since records began

Against Iraq on matchday three, Senegal recorded their most attempts (28), efforts on target (12), highest expected goals tally (3.01) and most touches in the opposition box (51) in a World Cup match

There have been 14 goals (8 for, 6 against) in Senegal’s three matches, with only Norway’s games (15) featuring more

Ismaila Sarr has been directly involved in four goals at this year’s tournament (3 goals, 1 assist), which is the joint-most by a Senegal player at a single edition (Henri Camara totalled four in 2002)

Idrissa Gueye made 39 line-breaking passes in the group stage – the most of any Senegal player – and ranked top overall for line-breaking passes at his previous international tournament, with 100 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Senegal have lost their last two World Cup knockout matches without scoring – 1-0 against Turkiye in the 2002 quarter-finals and 3-0 against England in the last 16 four years ago, previously beating Sweden 2-1 in the last 16 in 2002