Senegal Player Ratings: Mendy shines as Teranga Lions outwit World Cup hosts Qatar - World Cup Update
Senegal Player Ratings: Mendy shines as Teranga Lions outwit World Cup hosts Qatar - World Cup Update
Senegal registered their first victory in the ongoing World Cup finals after beating Qatar 3-1 on Friday.
This was the first meeting of any kind between the hosts and the West Africans. It’s also the first time Senegal have ever faced the host nation in a World Cup match.
Meanwhile, it took the group rivals time to settle into the game with Qatar preferring long balls forward. The Teranga Lions, on the other hand, tried to control proceedings but Qatar’s strategy of high balls made it difficult to deal with.
As the game progressed, Qatar remained compact and disciplined while out of possession, and this posed a challenge to Senegal, who could not find a solution to the problem for most of the first half.
The reigning African champions returned from the half-time break hungrier and scored two more goals that condemned the Middle East nation to a second straight defeat.
Edouard Mendy 8/10
Although he was not tested much in the first half, he rose to the occasion in the second half when Qatar started chasing the game.
The Chelsea goalkeeper – who took the brunt of the blame for the defeat against the Netherlands – whipped away a shot by Almoez Ali in the 63rd minute. This was a vital save that denied Qatar an equalizer.
Mendy made a world-class save in the 66th minute when he dived to his right and parried away Ismaeel Mohammad’s effort. This was another crucial intervention for Mendy, who has been out of form for his club.
He was, however, helpless as Mohammed Muntari powerfully headed the ball into the net in the 78th minute.
Getty Images.Youssouf Sabaly 7.5/10
At times he struggled to deal with Akram Afif, who persistently attempted to launch attacks from his position.
He joined the attackers when Senegal were in possession, and this gave his side a numerical advantage going forward.
Ismail Jakobs 8/10
The marauding full-back stood tall on the left and did not accord Qatar any space to launch their attacks from that area.
Apart from keeping Qatar’s attackers at bay along the flanks, his corner deliveries were also superbly executed.
Getty Images.Abdou Diallo 7/10
Together with Koulibally, he was solid, as they also enjoyed effective cover from their deep-lying midfielders.
This solidity will play an even larger role if it is maintained in the decisive game against Ecuador in the third match of the group.
Kalidou Koulibally 7.5/10
He was at ease most of the time and did not look troubled by the few attacks made by their opponents.
A clearance in the second minute of added time in the first half proved vital. Afif made his way past Sabaly on the left wing, but the Chelsea defender was alert to clean the mess quickly.
However, he and Pape Cisse could not stop Muntari from rising high to score, denying Senegal a clean sheet.
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