After topping Group D unbeaten—with a 3-0 win over Botswana and 1-1 draw against DR Congo—Senegal secured a 3-1 victory over Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 last-16 clash in Tangier, advancing to the quarter-finals after overturning an early deficit. Pape Gueye scored twice in the first half to give the Lions of Teranga the lead, with Ibrahim Mbaye adding a third late on. The win sets up a potential quarter-final against Mali or Tunisia.
The match took place on January 3, 2026, as part of the tournament's knockout stage. Sudan stunned Senegal by taking the lead in the sixth minute through Amar Abdallah's curled left-footed shot into the top-left corner. The Lions of Teranga, 2021 winners and pre-tournament favorites, responded but initially met resistance from Sudan goalkeeper Monged Abuzaid.
Ismaila Sarr was denied early, and Mohamed Eisa tested Edouard Mendy at the other end. Abuzaid made a superb save on Nicolas Jackson from point-blank range, but Pape Gueye equalized by finding the bottom-right corner from just outside the box. An offside flag disallowed a penalty appeal after a foul on Sarr by Abuzaid. In first-half stoppage time, Gueye completed his brace with a left-footed finish, assisted by Jackson's excellent work, sending Senegal into the break 2-1 ahead.
Senegal dominated after halftime but struggled to extend the lead until the 77th minute, when Ibrahim Mbaye latched onto a long ball from Sadio Mane and lashed home at the near post. This result avoids a repeat of Senegal's 2023 last-16 exit to Ivory Coast on penalties and thwarts Sudan's first quarter-final attempt since 2012.
Senegal's starting lineup included Edouard Mendy in goal, with Bamba Diakhite, Krepin Diatta, and others in defense; Idrissa Gueye and Pape Gueye in midfield; and attackers Ismaila Sarr, Sadio Mane, and Nicolas Jackson. Sudan's side featured Abuzaid in goal and forwards Abdallah, Eisa, and Abdelrahman.
