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Toby Alderweireld has revealed how Belgium came back from being 2-0 down against Japan during the 2018 World Cup, after history repeated itself vs Senegal this evening.
Belgium returned from what seemed to be an insurmountable 2-0 deficit against Senegal , with just four minutes of regular time remaining.
Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans bagged in the 86th and 89th minutes, tying the scoreline and forcing extra time, before the latter converted a 125th-minute penalty to win the Round of 32 clash.
Toby Alderweireld reveals how Belgium returned from the dead in 2018 and vs Senegal: '2-0 really is the most dangerous scoreline in football'
A similar story happened in 2018, when Belgium returned from the dead vs Japan at the World Cup to also prevail 3-2.
In that event, Belgium were 2-0 down with 21 minutes remaining, before three goals turned the game on its head, all in regular time.
Ex-Belgium international Alderweireld, who played in the match, revealed to BOYLE Sports his memories of the event, and shone light on how such a comeback, like the one this evening, is possible.
"If you turn it up, even one stupid goal, one stupid moment can change everything," revealed the ex-Red Devil.
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“Of course, when we were 2-0 down to Japan, we said, ‘Let's go, come on, we need one goal. But it was one goal, and a stupid goal, and everything changes.
"I think we were getting some chances... I remember Romelu Lukaku was next to the goal, but one header from Jan Vertonghen was actually a stupid goal, and everything changes.
"The belief came back," stated the ex- Tottenham Hotspur centre-back, plainly. "That one was one of the most historic World Cup games ever."
Alderweireld also hinted at the awareness within the Belgium squad of the expectations placed upon them, and their underperformance in the face of it all.
He said: “Yeah, it was an unbelievable game. But imagine if you lost that game, we had one of the worst World Cups for Belgium, ever.
"[Then against Japan] we had our best performance ever. So sometimes it's all in the little details.
"I always wished to be 2-0 up but it’s true what they say. 2-0 really can be the most dangerous scoreline in football," he confessed.
Belgium advance in the 2026 World Cup to the Round of 16, and will next face USA or Bosnia and Herzegovina .
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