Media Kampung – 30 Maret 2026 | Senegal defeated Peru 2-0 at Stade de France in a warm‑up friendly ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The victory highlighted Senegal’s preparation and resolve after recent controversy over the AFCON title.
The match began evenly, but Senegal gradually asserted dominance, forcing Peru into a defensive posture and creating several chances in the first half.
In the 41st minute, Ibrahim Mbaye delivered a precise cross that Nicolas Jackson converted, giving Senegal a 1‑0 lead just before halftime.
The second half saw Senegal maintain pressure; Ismaila Sarr scored in the 54th minute after a loose ball fell to him, extending the lead to 2‑0.
Senegal’s defence, anchored by goalkeeper Mory Diaw, kept a clean sheet, with Peru unable to generate a clear scoring opportunity after the breakthrough.
Before kickoff, Senegal’s coach Pape Bouna Thiaw and his players paraded the Africa Cup of Nations trophy around the pitch, receiving enthusiastic cheers from a near‑full Stade de France crowd.
Thiaw declared that the team considered itself the rightful African champion, despite CAF’s Appeal Board ruling that awarded the title to Morocco after Senegal’s walk‑off protest in the January final.
The squad wore a newly designed kit featuring two stars above the badge, symbolising the AFCON triumphs of 2021 and the contested 2024 edition.
“We know we are African champions,” Thiaw said, emphasizing the players’ confidence ahead of the World Cup and the upcoming match against Gambia in Dakar.
The friendly also offered a platform for younger talents; teenage winger Ibrahima Mbaye, who assisted the opening goal, showcased the attacking depth Senegal hopes to exploit in North America.
While Senegal celebrated, Ivory Coast secured a 4‑0 win over South Korea at Stadium MK, underscoring the form of African teams in the final preparation phase for the tournament.
Senegal returns to the continent next week to face Gambia, likely to repeat the trophy display, while the 2‑0 victory over Peru adds momentum to their World Cup campaign.
Peru entered the match with a lineup featuring goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and a midfield anchored by Erick Noriega, yet they struggled to retain possession against Senegal’s high‑press, resulting in limited forward forays and a handful of futile attempts on target.
A notable moment occurred in the 78th minute when Adrian Quiroz unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, forcing Mory Diaw into a spectacular save that brushed the crossbar before the ball was cleared for a corner, denying Peru a late lifeline.
Peru’s coach made two tactical substitutions at the 70th minute, bringing on Jesus Castillo and Fabio Gruber in hopes of revitalising the attack, but the changes failed to alter the scoreboard.
Senegal’s bench also saw activity; Ismaila Sarr and Lamine Camara were replaced by Cherif Ndiaye and Pape Sarr after the second goal, allowing the coach to preserve stamina for the upcoming Gambia clash.
The AFCON controversy continues to loom over Senegal; the team’s legal appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport remains pending, and the public display of the trophy was interpreted as a symbolic protest against CAF’s decision.
Analysts predict that Senegal’s solid defensive organization and versatile attack, demonstrated in Paris, position them as one of the stronger African representatives at the World Cup, where they will face Group E opponents in June.
Artikel ini dipublikasikan oleh Media Kampung.
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