Senegal player ratings v Norway
A second successive defeat at the World Cup for Senegal leaves their chances of progressing vastly diminished after Norway beat them 3-2 at the Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey on Monday.
Senegal must now register a convincing victory over Iraq in their last group game to stand any chance of progress as one of the eight best third-placed finishers across the 12 first-round groups.
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They were outplayed by Erling Haaland and his teammates in a disappointing, error-strewn performance, and here are the
Eduard Mendy (4); The former World Goalkeeper of the Year could have done better on the first Norwegian goal from Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, which put the side on the backfoot and from which they never really recovered. Mendy later went off injured in the 63rd minute.
Krepin Diatta (6); Much underrated at international level but a consistent performer for Senegal, he was again sharp and on point as he had been at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco at the turn of the year.
Moussa Niakhite (7); Posted some very impressive numbers in a game in which the Senegal defence was stretched, with 10 of 11 duels won, two interceptions and five clearances.
Kalidou Koulibaly (2); A horror show for the captain whose errors gifted all three Norwegian goals and when he was finally replaced in the 72nd minute might well have been saying goodbye to his international career.
El Hadji Malick Diouf (4); The left back had a torrid evening and won only two of the eight duels he contested and failed to win any of his five aerial duels before he was taken off in the 54th minute.
Idrissa Gana Gueye (5); The little general was again industrious in the middle, but this game showed that at the age of 36, he is no longer as commanding as he has been for Senegal.
Lamine Camara (5); He could be one of the players to lose his place in the team after the loss to Norway as he made little impact on the game.
Pape Gueye (5); Usually the driving force for the Senegalese, but his was a quiet evening by his high standards. Gueye needs to find form for the last group game against Iraq if Senegal are to stand any chance of a place in the last 32.
Ismaila Sarr (7); Two goals made it a good day at the office for the striker, although he also wasted some other chances. But his aggression and persistence did give him reward in front of goal.
Sadio Mane (4); If Senegal’s talisman was the best player at the Cup of Nations finals six months ago, he now looks a little heavy and out of shape and form. He is going to need to lift his game several levels against Iraq.
Nicolas Jackson (5); Looking sharp at times, Jackson again struggled with his first touch and let chances slip away from him as a result. When contrasted with the ruthless efficiency of Erling Haaland, it is easy to see he has much work to do.
Ismail Jakobs (6); The German-born defender lost his place at left back during the Cup of Nations finals in Morocco but might well have won it back after Diouf’s poor showing and his own much more positive contribution as he came on for the last 30 minutes of the game.
Ibrahima Mbaye (6); The teenage sensation remains an impact player, off the bench for Senegal, although against Norway he did not make as telling a contribution as he had done against France in Senegal’s first game at this World Cup.
Mory Diaw (4); The reserve goalkeeper got a 33rd birthday present as he came on for his first World Cup action, but in the brief time he was on the pitch, he looked clumsy and made several mistakes both with the ball in hand and at his feet.
Pathe Ciss (6); Came on in the midfield for Camara, but when Koulibaly was then taken off, he was asked to play at centre back. Near the end of the match, he came close to a dramatic equaliser.
Pape Matar Sarr also came on as a substitute but not long enough to earn a rating.
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