Senegal’s World Cup campaign took a hit at MetLife Stadium last night, beaten 3-2 by a Norway side with Erling Haaland in irresistible form.
For the two Everton players in the squad, it was a tale of two very different evenings. Idrissa Gana Gueye put in a good shift in midfield as his country fought back from two goals down. Iliman Ndiaye never got off the bench.
As it unfolded…
Aliou Cisse’s side gave Norway a game, but it was a Haaland masterclass that decided it. Marcus Holmgren Pedersen nicked the opener just before half-time after a defensive mix-up, then Haaland struck twice in the second half – the second a clever side-foot volley off the underside of the crossbar – to put the game seemingly out of reach.
Senegal didn’t fold, though. Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr pulled one back with a good finish and then grabbed a second with the clock ticking down to set up a frantic finish. Norway just about survived nine minutes of stoppage time to take all three points.
Gueye started in his usual holding role next to Pape Gueye and played the whole game. He even had an attempt on goal in the first half – a right-footed effort from outside the box that flew just over – and was central to Senegal’s response after the break, slipping a pass to Sadio Mane that eventually led to Sarr’s first goal.
There was also a moment of frustration for him: a heavy aerial challenge from Norway’s David Moller Wolfe left him on the floor and appealing furiously for a penalty, but the referee and VAR weren’t interested. Most match ratings had him around a 6 out of 10 – not a standout night, but a solid one in a team that was second-best for long spells.
Ndiaye’s night was a lot less eventful. Cisse turned to five substitutes as Senegal chased the game – Ibrahim Mbaye, Ismail Jakobs, Mory Diaw, Pathe Ciss and Pape Matar Sarr all got minutes – but Ndiaye wasn’t among them. He stayed an unused sub.
Why Ndiaye didn’t get a look-in
It’s not hard to see why. Cisse went with Mane, Lamine Camara and Sarr in support of Nicolas Jackson up top, and even with Senegal trailing for most of the match, none of those forward positions were changed.
Gueye’s situation is the opposite. Even at 36, he’s still one of the first names on Cisse’s teamsheet, and the fact he played the full game even as the scoreline got away from his side says everything about how much his manager trusts him in the engine room – that same reliability Everton fans watched for several seasons.
Where it leaves Senegal
Senegal now need a big win over Iraq in their final group match to keep alive any hope of sneaking through as one of the best third-placed teams, while Norway are already in the knockout stage.
For Evertonians, it was an interesting night. Gana looks fit, sharp, and still very much first-choice for his country – good signs heading into pre-season, assuming he remains a Toffee, while Ndiaye’s frustrating night, will at least have kept him out of the ‘shop window.’
