Four years ago in Qatar, if Senegal had been in their current position, with two defeats from their first two matches, they would simply have been preparing to play for pride against Iraq before packing their bags and heading for home. However, the new format of the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup™ has changed the picture. If the Lions of Teranga claim all three points in , they could yet finish among the eight best third-placed teams and qualify for the first-ever round of 32 at the global showpiece.
Clearly dejected on Monday evening following a crushing 3-2 defeat by Norway, Crystal Palace flyer Ismaila Sarr was nevertheless acutely aware that all is not yet lost. “How do we feel? It’s tough, we’re disappointed, but it’s not over yet – there’s still a third match to be played,” he told FIFA calmly. “We’ll go there [to Toronto] to win; we’re going to work hard. We’re all disappointed. It was tough to lose [to Norway], but it’s not over yet.”
After falling 3-1 to France in their opening match, where they were undone by Kylian Mbappe’s brilliance, the Senegalese once again found themselves up against a player in red-hot form – Erling Haaland – who struck twice. The blow was even harder to take for Sarr, as the former Marseille man had responded in kind with a brace of his own – his first two World Cup goals. Yet, judging by his dejected expression after the match, it was clear that his personal achievement had quickly been overshadowed by the result.
“It’s hard [to savour the brace]; I scored twice but we still lost. I celebrated [the goals], but it would have been much better if we had won,” said Sarr.
Despite the setback, his brace clearly offers a glimmer of hope for Senegal. Ibrahim Mbaye opened his World Cup account against Les Bleus on Matchday 1, and Sarr’s goals against the Norwegians showed that Senegal are a force to be reckoned with. However, placed in a particularly strong group, the Lions of Teranga have simply not been as clinical as their two European opponents at either end of the pitch.
“Norway caused us problems; they were very effective and scored at the worst possible times,” said coach Pape Thiaw at the post-match press conference, before quickly turning his attention to the decisive clash with Iraq. “Now I need to encourage my players. We know it’s not easy, as we were hoping for a positive result, but it wasn’t meant to be. We’ve got one match left. We need to focus on that and do all we can to pick up the three points. And then hope [it’s enough].”
If Senegal do see off Iraq, scoring as many goals as possible would significantly boost their chances of reaching the round of 32. The good news for the African side is that they have already proven to be a threat in front of goal. That should be enough to fuel their determination heading into the final match.
“We’re focused on ourselves. We’re going there to win, and whatever happens, happens,” concluded a determined Sarr. “We’ll give it our all and [try to] win the match.”
Even a single goal could prove decisive in determining the fate of third-placed teams, so Sarr may yet come to realise that his 93rd minute strike against the Norwegians could make all the difference in securing a place in the next round. Should that come to pass, perhaps he will finally be able to celebrate in full.
Sources: FIFA Official
