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Three African nations have been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup tournament after conceding decisive goals in the exact same minute.
In a devastating sequence of matches, the Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Senegal all suffered narrow defeats to European powerhouses after conceding game-winning goals at the same late stage of their respective fixtures.
The first to fall was the Ivory Coast, who were edged out by Norway 2-1 in a thrilling contest. After Antonio Nusa had given the Norwegians a 39th-minute lead, a spectacular strike from Manchester United’s Amad Diallo in the 74th minute had restored hope for the Ivorians.
However, that hope was short-lived. With just four minutes left on the clock, Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland demonstrated his killer instinct, latching onto a cross to tap in from close range in the 86th minute, sealing the victory for the Nordic side and breaking Ivorian hearts.
The sense of déjà vu continued as England faced the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Congolese had produced a sensational start, taking the lead in the 7th minute through Brian Cipenga and, for much of the game, looked set for a historic victory.
They were bravely backed by a heroic performance from goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who made a string of saves. However, England captain Harry Kane proved to be the difference. Kane first equalized for the Three Lions with a powerful header in the 75th minute, before completing his brace in the most devastating fashion, smashing home the winning goal in the 86th minute to send England through.
Perhaps the most dramatic ending of the three was reserved for Senegal. The Lions of Teranga were in cruise control against Belgium, having taken a commanding 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaïla Sarr. They looked certain to advance, but the match took a sensational turn in the final minutes.
The tide turned when Romelu Lukaku pulled one back for Belgium in the 86th minute, setting the stage for an extraordinary comeback that would see the match eventually go to extra time and end in Belgian victory.
The collective heartbreak for these three African teams is underscored by the irony of their successful tournament. Africa was celebrating a record-breaking achievement, with nine of its ten representatives qualifying for the knockout stage—a historic first for the continent. Yet, this success has been met with an implacable European wall. Each African team fell to a European opponent, and the timing could not have been more cruel.
For the Ivory Coast, DR Congo, and Senegal, the 86th minute of their Round of 32 matches will now be remembered not for the historic success they achieved to get there, but as the exact moment their World Cup journeys came to a sudden and heartbreaking end
