Belgium vs Senegal World Cup match halted after three pitch invaders cause chaos
The Belgium versus Senegal match was called to an abrupt halt after three pitch invaders ran out causing havoc.
Three men ran onto the pitch shortly after the first hydration break, prompting referee Said Martínez to pause the game.
Security at Seattle Stadium then rushed onto the pitch in an attempt to deal with the three men but catching them didn't appear to be as easy as it sounds, with one man having around five security guards chasing him before he was eventually caught and removed from the stadium.
At the time of the interruption Senegal was leading Belgium 1-0 after a goal by Habib Diarra in the 25th minute.
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Speaking during ITV's commentary, main commentator Sam Matterface said: "We've got a social media prank which is going to cause a halt in play, and it is quite a dangerous situation because there are three or four young gentlemen who have decided to encroach on the pitch.
"They have been wrestled now, two of the three have. The third has evaded security staff, who are trying desperately to get hold of him. And eventually the protesters are removed."
He then added: "It has created yet another interruption. We haven't had too many of those at the World Cup. We had several didn't we at the Euros a couple of years ago, people coming on desperate to get selfies with big-name players."
Footage broadcast on ITV cut away from the on-pitch chaos and instead showed the players watching from the sidelines.
As you might imagine, the incident quickly went viral online with many questioning how they’d managed it.
One said: “Pitch invaders at the World Cup.
“How do they even get that close in a match this big?
“Security clearly still has some gaps to fix.”
Another asked: "First pitch invaders I’ve seen at this World Cup. Was security a bit too relaxed today?"
As yet, it’s not known who the pitch invaders were or what they were hoping to promote but several eagle-eyed social media users noted that one was wearing a t-shirt promoting a cryptocurrency casino.
Aside from the drama caused by the pitch invasion, there was plenty to keep fans on the edge of their seats during the game.
The match looked to be all sewn up for Senegal after securing a two goal lead, but Belgium fought back managing to score two of their own, meaning it was 2-2 by the end of the game.
At the time of writing, half an hour of extra time had been added onto the game thanks to Belgium's comeback.
Speaking on the BBC, Ian Wright said: "It's the most unlikely comeback I've ever seen, I didn't see that coming.
"Belgium found something and got themselves going.
"That's knockout football."
The winning team of tonight's game will go on to play either the USA or Bosnia and Herzegovina in their next match on 16 or 17 July.
The USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina fixture gets underway later tonight with the co-hosts currently favourites to win.
Topics: World Cup
Claire Reid