AFCON 2024: Senegal Continue Group Lead With Big Win Against Cameroon
Senegal remained the leaders of their group standings after neatly defeating Cameroon 3-1 in the second game of the group stages of the 2024 AFCON in Ivory Coast.
Ismaila Sarr put the Senegalese side ahead in the early stages of the first half, he guided a right-foot shot from inside the box to beat Andre Onana down bottom left of the goal following a set piece.
After the halftime break, Habib Dialo doubled the lead with a slide to reach Sarr's cross for a tap in that beat Onana to the goal. Then, Cameroon pulled one back with a header from Jean Charles-Castelletto that beat rightly beat Mendy to the goal from Oliver Nitcham's cross.
The game was later settled with Senegal getting the third on stoppage time with a delightful finish from Sadio Mane. From Ismaila Gueye's cross, he rightly guided a curling shot from the edge of the box to beat Onana to the bottom right of the goal.
From the maximum points earned from the victory, Senegal have now consolidated their position as Group C leaders with six points while Cameroon dropped to third with just a point.
Quick Overview
It was nothing less than an interesting game and Senegal made most of the game to come out atop as Cameroon struggled to find their ways through their opponents' defense. With Kalidou Koulibaly and Pape Gueye at the back, the Sengalese defence remained effective against their pacey opponents.
In terms of mode of play, Cameroon were enterprising as always and had issues with defending rightly against Senegal. Shortly after Castelltto's header narrowly missed the goal for an equaliser, Senegal response followed with Gueye latching on the ball down the right flank and a loose defense allowed Mane to be unmarked to get the ball in.
Pleasant football from both sides but the defending champions, Senegal were the best side with precise finishing acumen against a well-experienced side like Cameroon.
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