The game and the players: Ismaïla Sarr scores again, Lamine Camara and Mory Diaw miss their opportunities

Senegal will not be in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup. The Lions of Teranga had secured their qualification after leading 2-0 against a Belgian team they were expected to beat. But Pape Thiaw's men ultimately succumbed (3-2) following an incredible comeback by the Red Devils. While Ismaïla Sarr once again delivered, playing a key role in the opening goal before netting Senegal's second, Mory Diaw and Lamine Camara endured a nightmare evening. The Lions' goalkeeper was at fault for a poor clearance on Belgium's equalizer (89th minute), while the midfielder conceded the penalty that sealed Senegal's defeat and elimination.

Mory Diaw: 4/10

After a relatively quiet start to the match, Mory Diaw was called into action for the first time, dealing with a shot from Leandro Trossard (10th minute). Despite Senegal's dominance, the Lions' goalkeeper remained focused. He particularly distinguished himself at the end of the first half, making a crucial save from Jérémy Doku (42nd minute), before following it up with a superb reflex save from a powerful shot by Maxim De Cuyper (44th minute), allowing Senegal to maintain their lead until halftime. He was rarely troubled after the break and could do nothing about Romelu Lukaku's goal (86th minute). However, he bore a heavy responsibility for Belgium's equalizer, completely misjudging his run out against Youri Tielemans (89th minute), despite his imposing height (1.97 m). This costly error marred what had been a convincing performance up to that point.

Krépin Diatta: 6/10

On his right flank, Krépin Diatta once again displayed great activity. Solid in duels and disciplined defensively, he kept Leandro Trossard contained for a long time and, at times, Jérémy Doku when the latter switched wings.

Offensively, the Monaco player pushed forward frequently to provide options down his flank. However, he sometimes lacked precision in the final pass or shot. During extra time, he began to tire physically against the pace of Diego Moreira. It was, in fact, from his side that the move leading to the penalty for Belgium's third goal originated. A difficult end to the match after an overall solid performance.

Moussa Niakhaté: 6/10

As in his previous outings, Moussa Niakhaté made a perfect start to the match. Dominant in duels and well-positioned, the central defender kept Charles De Ketelaere quiet for much of the game. Apart from a misplaced pass in the 20th minute that gave Belgium an opportunity, the Olympique Lyonnais player delivered a top-class first half.

He also distinguished himself after the break with several authoritative interventions and an assist for Ismaïla Sarr's second goal. However, the introduction of Romelu Lukaku changed the complexion of the match. Faced with the Belgian striker's power, Niakhaté lost his composure. Caught out of position by Lukaku for Belgium's first goal (86th minute), he also failed to prevent Tielemans from heading home the third goal.

Pathé Ciss: 6/10

Deployed in central defense alongside Moussa Niakhaté, Pathé Ciss also delivered an excellent start to the match. Solid against De Ketelaere, the former Diambars player also contributed his passing ability by initiating several Senegalese attacks.

He continued at the same pace in the second half, repelling numerous Belgian attacks. But, like his defensive partner, he struggled after Romelu Lukaku came on. Thanks to his hold-up play and power, the Belgian striker put considerable pressure on the Senegalese defense. Late in the game, Pathé Ciss was caught napping on Tielemans' equalizer, having been left unmarked in the heart of the penalty area.

Ismaïla Jakobs: 5/10

Like the rest of the Senegalese defense, Ismaïla Jakobs had a convincing first half. Very solid in duels against the dynamic Jérémy Doku, the Galatasaray full-back imposed his physical presence.

Offensively, he proved invaluable. As early as the 13th minute, his left-footed cross, slightly deflected by Thibaut Courtois, found Ismaïla Sarr, whose shot struck the post. A few minutes later, he was the architect of the opening goal: his perfectly weighted cross was headed by Sarr onto the post, before Habib Diarra tapped the ball into the net (24th minute). In the second half, he struggled more with the introduction of Dodi Lukebakio, whose bursts of speed caused problems down the Senegalese left flank. He was finally replaced by El Hadji Malick Diouf in stoppage time (90+3).

Gana Gueye: 5/10

Captain in the absence of Kalidou Koulibaly, the most capped player in the Senegalese squad attempted to orchestrate the midfield. Despite his vast experience, he didn't have the expected impact, particularly in attack. However, his ball control in the middle of the park proved invaluable. Towards the end of the match, the physically fatigued 37-year-old gradually lost his way. Struggling after Pape Guéye's substitution, he was eventually replaced by Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (96th minute), who unleashed a fine shot that grazed the post (113th minute).

Pape Guéye: 4/10

After a sensational debut against Iraq, capped by a brace and an assist, Pape Gueye was a logical choice to start in midfield for Pape Thiaw. Solid in the physical battle, the Villereal midfielder nevertheless lacked precision with his long passes, which rarely found Sadio Mané. Too slow in attack, he failed to make an impact in this knockout match. He was replaced by Lamine Camara, who made a disastrous entrance. With his very first touch, the AS Monaco midfielder committed a foul and received a yellow card (67th minute). In the dying moments of extra time, he conceded a penalty by bringing down Youri Tielemans, gifting Belgium the winning goal. A completely unsuccessful debut.

Habib Diarra: 5/10

In a match largely dominated by Senegal, Habib Diarra was very active in midfield, regularly looking to combine with his forwards. At times overly aggressive, the Sunderland player nevertheless lacked composure in his attacking decisions. He was rewarded for his fighting spirit, however, by opening the scoring, tapping in a rebound from Ismaila Sarr's header that struck the post (24th minute). In the second half, despite Senegal's dominance, he gradually faded, losing his influence in midfield. He was replaced by Pape Matar Sarr (73rd minute), who failed to make a decisive impact.

Iliman Ndiaye: 5/10

Starting on the right flank, Iliman Ndiaye was incisive with the ball at his feet. However, the Everton player failed to trouble the Belgian defense. Despite his technical ability, the Senegalese international was not at his best. Despite several attacking forays, he lacked sharpness in the final pass or shot. Replaced by Ibrahim Mbaye (73rd minute), the young Paris Saint-Germain prodigy, highly anticipated to unlock the opposing defense, proved ineffective. In the 109th minute, he even had a chance to make it 3-2, but his shot went wide.

Ismaila Sarr: 8/10

Deployed at the forefront of the attack, Ismaila Sarr once again proved decisive. A constant presence in the Belgian penalty area, he created the first clear-cut chance when his shot struck Thibaut Courtois' post (13th minute). In the 24th minute, he was instrumental in opening the scoring: his header, deflected by the post, was pounced upon by Habib Diarra at close range. After the break, he struck again, netting Senegal's second goal. Played through by Moussa Niakhaté, he controlled the ball perfectly with his chest before unleashing a powerful shot (51st minute). It's a shame his efforts ultimately went unrewarded, as the Lions conceded two goals in the final five minutes of the match.

Sadio Mané: 6/10

On the left flank, the Lions' number 10 tried to use his experience to unsettle the Belgian defense. Despite his technical ability, Sadio Mané didn't always make the right decisions in the final third. Less incisive than usual, the former Liverpool player lacked spontaneity in his attacking moves. He was, however, involved in Senegal's first goal, setting up Ismail Jakobs before his cross. In the second half, he worked tirelessly, particularly in defensive duties, but it wasn't enough to prevent Senegal from conceding two goals in the final minutes. He was replaced by Nicolas Jackson in the 93rd minute.