AFCON 2025: Senegal 3-0 Benin As Koulibaly Red Card Dampens Progress

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Senegal moved into the Africa Cup of Nations last 16 with a 3-0 victory over Benin, yet the result came with a major setback as captain Kalidou Koulibaly received a straight red card, ruling Koulibaly out of the next AFCON knockout match after a VAR-reviewed challenge.

The win also confirmed Senegal as Group D winners, while D.R. Congo joined them in the round of 16 after a 3-0 success against Botswana. Gael Kakuta struck twice for D.R. Congo, adding to an opener from Nathanael Mbuku, ensuring both nations advanced with convincing AFCON scorelines.

The scoreline in Senegal’s AFCON match reflected their control. Senegal created 1.84 expected goals from 10 attempts, compared to Benin’s 0.61 xG from six shots. Despite the positive numbers, the main concern for Pape Thiaw will be how Senegal handle the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stage without Koulibaly’s presence.

Koulibaly had been influential before dismissal. Koulibaly won eight of 11 duels, including three of four aerial contests, and completed 47 passes with 65 touches, both among Senegal’s highest figures, even though Koulibaly left the AFCON game around the 71st minute following the red card.

The Africa Cup of Nations tie began cautiously, with both Senegal and Benin slow to create clear chances. Senegal knew a draw would secure progression, yet pressure eased when Abdoulaye Seck climbed above the defence shortly before half-time to head Krepin Diatta’s free-kick into the far corner.

Senegal’s threat at set plays continued after the break, with Seck again close from another delivery. The second goal, however, arrived from open play as Sadio Mane cut the ball back and Habib Diallo smashed a rising shot into the roof of the net, tightening Senegal’s grip on the AFCON contest.

The turning point came when Koulibaly launched a poor challenge on Aiyegun Tosin. After a lengthy VAR review, the referee produced a straight red card. Benin almost capitalised immediately from the free-kick, but Edouard Mendy reacted well, tipping Junior Olaitan’s powerful attempt over the bar to preserve Senegal’s AFCON advantage.

Down to 10 players, Senegal allowed only two further shots as the AFCON game opened up. A swift counter-attack ended with Ibrahim Mbaye drawing a foul inside the box. Cherif Ndiaye converted the late penalty, sealing the 3-0 score and confirming Senegal’s position at the top of Group D in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Senegal AFCON record and Africa Cup of Nations group overview

D.R. Congo’s 3-0 win over Botswana mirrored Senegal’s margin, with Mbuku breaking the deadlock before Kakuta added two more. Those results shaped the AFCON last-16 picture, where Senegal enter on a strong run, while the absence of Koulibaly raises questions about defensive balance in the Africa Cup of Nations knockouts.

Senegal’s performance extended an impressive sequence under Pape Thiaw. Senegal are now unbeaten in 14 straight AFCON matches, their longest recorded run in the Africa Cup of Nations since at least the 2009-2010 cycle. The latest win combined attacking efficiency, set-piece strength and defensive discipline, offset only by Koulibaly’s costly dismissal.

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