🇸🇳SenegalWest Africa
Romelu Lukaku explains why he did not take penalty against Senegal
via SeneNews1 min read
Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku revealed why he did not take the winning penalty in Belgium's World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match against Senegal. Lukaku, who scored Belgium's first goal in their comeback victory, stated that he was going through a difficult mental period and preferred to let his teammate Youri Tielemans take the shot. He told RTBF, "I was going to shoot, but I am still going through difficult mental moments and I preferred Youri to shoot. It's not about me, it's about the team winning." The Naples striker also paid tribute to his father, Roger Lukaku, who passed away last September, saying, "It's my father from up there who helps me." Reflecting on the match, Lukaku noted that Belgium found the necessary resources after being down 2-0. He explained, "It was really difficult. But when we put intensity into the press and were present on second balls, the team spirit came out and we won the match." He also praised the Senegalese team, stating, "Senegal is one of the best teams in the tournament, technically, physically and tactically." Belgium won the match 3-2 after extra time, qualifying for the quarterfinals of the World Cup 2026.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise RTS has issued an apology to its audience following the interruption of the live YouTube broadcast of the World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between Senegal and Belgium. The public broadcaster stated in a press release that the interruption occurred before the end of the match and was caused by "a technical problem related to FIFA's regulations on digital broadcasting rights." RTS clarified that this issue only affected the YouTube broadcast and reassured viewers that the competition's matches would continue to be broadcast on its RTS1 and RTS2 channels until the final, in line with its public service mission. The RTS General Directorate thanked the public for their loyalty, understanding, and trust, assuring them that all efforts are being made to ensure the best broadcast quality for the remainder of the competition.
Following Senegal's elimination from the 2026 World Cup, journalist Romain Molina released a video detailing alleged internal issues within the Senegalese Football Federation FSF. Molina claimed that the Senegalese team experienced significant tensions before the competition, stating that Senegal was close to playing its match against Norway without a coach. He also alleged that FSF Secretary General Abdoulaye Sow wields significant influence, while President Abdoulaye Fall faces challenges in leading the federation. Molina reported executive committee meetings were marked by disagreements over bonuses, representation, and governance. Furthermore, he claimed that former coach Pape Diop did not have a contract and was not paid for several months, citing information previously published by Sport News Africa. Molina also suggested the FSF considered appointing Hervé Renard as national coach and was awaiting a poor performance from Pape Diop to make a change. The FSF has not yet publicly responded to these claims, which remain unconfirmed.
SeneNews is providing live coverage of the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match between Spain and Austria. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 PM Dakar time on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at SoFi Stadium. The live feed will include real-time score updates, goals, substitutions, cards, and a summary of key moments. Compositions, statistics, and reactions will also be available.