As expected, Senegal have secured their spot in the last 16 by defeating Guinea 2-0, maintaining their perfect record in the tournament. Despite Sadio Mane’s unfortunate miss, the Lions of Teranga showcased their prowess on the field.
Senegal, already assured of a knockout stage spot, began the match without much urgency, resulting in a goalless first half. Mane’s golden opportunity to break the deadlock came in the 56th minute when he found himself one-on-one with Guinea’s goalkeeper but failed to keep the shot on target due to a heavy touch.
The turning point arrived in the 61st minute when Abdoulaye Seck, with a brilliant header from Krepin Diatta’s precise free-kick, opened the scoring for Senegal. Second-half substitute Iliman Ndiaye sealed the victory with a stoppage-time goal after a pass from Mane.
MVP Abdoulaye Seck, a hero for Senegal, changed the game with his well-timed header, ensuring maximum momentum for his team heading into the knockout stages.
On the flip side, Sadio Mane had a frustrating outing, missing crucial chances, including an empty goal opportunity in the 56th minute, and having a late goal ruled out due to offside.
Looking forward, Senegal, led by Kalidou Koulibaly, maintains a 100% record and advances to the knockout stage, with their round of 16 match scheduled for January 29.