The defensive dominance of Kalidou Koulibaly and Salif Sane. The midfield solidity of Cheikhou Kouyate and Idrissa Gueye. Exciting wingers like Ismalia Sarr and Keith Balde. A star striker in Sadio Mane. An exciting young manager in Aliou Cisse. Senegal had all that a non-European, non-South American team could have. Even more importantly, they had a tactical system that worked for their personnel and a team spirit that was obvious to anyone who watched them play.
All those qualities were evident when Senegal clinically defeated a Poland team that was favoured to make the knockout stages. In their next game, Senegal faced a Japanese side that had just beaten one of the tournament’s dark horses Colombia. The African team controlled the game early on as Sadio Mane bundled a goal into the net after a mistake by the Japanese goalkeeper. Rather unfortunately for Senegal, Japan managed to score with their first concrete attack.
It was the type of debilitating goal that would have doomed lesser teams. Instead, Senegal continued to attack with verve. Eventually, a brilliant move culminated in 19-year-old right back Moussa Wague scoring a vital goal. Yet, Japan broke Senegalese hearts again as they managed to get a crucial equalizer.
That 2-2 draw meant that Senegal still needed a result against group favourites Colombia who were on the brink of elimination. Most did not expect the African team to have a chance against the South Americans.
Even though Senegal knew that a draw would be enough to take them through, they still decided to attack whenever they got the chance. They even got a penalty which was overruled by VAR. In defence, they continued to be resolute against one of the most talented attacks in the tournament.
After having played so well for the majority of the match, a bit of sloppiness on a corner doomed Senegal as a Yerry Mina header gave Colombia the need. In the immediate aftermath of the goal, even commentators were confused as to whether Senegal or Japan were going through to the knockout stages.
It turned out that considering their identical records, Japan would go through due to a better disciplinary record- one of the most unfortunate ways to leave the World Cup.