Senegal have struggled for goals at Cameroon 2021 despite having one of the strongest attacks at the tournament. They only scored once in the Group stages as they scrapped though, not conceding until this match. Not surprisingly, they have Mendy and Koulibaly who are arguably the best keeper and center backs in the world. Against E.Guinea here we got to see the best of Sadio Mane at last. Mane's no look pass to Diedhiou setting the ball rolling for the West Africans. E. Guinea has been impressive in Cameroon. They have got a number of naturalized players from Spain who play in La Liga and the second tier Segunda league. One of them is Iban Edu who has been their player of the tournament in my opinion. He won the penalty just after half time, Koulibaly clumsily handing a flick pass from the Fuenlabrada man. To my surprise it was overturned by the ref upon VAR review. The offense certainly ticked the boxes but what certainly counted against it maybe was the distance the ball traveled. It was too short in the ref's mind.

Now in soccer you do not always get the results you deserve. Facts. E.Guinea played the better soccer overall with their passing more incise than the Senegalese, rather surprisingly. Buyla had expertly finished past Mendy to equalize on 57 minutes after another of their passing moves. Only for a calamitous defensive mix up to hand the lead back to the Lions of Teranga 10 minutes later. Watch it again and see why talking to your teammates is important in soccer. First ball after corner cleared just fine, second cleared half fine then two E. Guinea players going for same ball. Sub Cheikhu Kouyate of Chrystal Palace didn't need a second invite. A simple shout of "leave", that's all it took top avert the goal. From there they let their head go down. How a hopeful cross to the left winger Ciss ended up being a goal shows this. Ismaila Sarr of Watford with a simple finish to send Senegal through against Burkina Faso