Match 51: England (B1) vs Senegal (A2)

Should be a good match--Sengal is playing pretty cohesively. I'd definitely say this is the best that African teams, as a group, have ever looked in a World Cup. Senegal and Ghana have both played solidly--some good soccer--and Senegal will need more of that to beat England.

 

I absolutely love the fact that Senegal is finding success at the World Cup with not only a Senegalese coach (instead of a Henri Michel, Otto Pfister, Claude Le Roy, you know the type lol) but a former national team legend. I read somewhere that Aliou Cissé is only the second sub-Saharan coach after Stephen Keshi to ever make it out of the group stage. In Nigeria's case, they subsequently lost against France in WC 2014 round of 16. There are a few similarities between Cissé and Keshi: Both with very good careers as players and both winning the AFCON for their countries as managers.

Apart from Cissé, the coaching staff includes Tony Sylva as gk coach and Lamine Diatta as team coordinator. The amount of respect this trio get from the players must be enormous.

 

wrote a big preview here with lots of graphs, stats, maps and analysis. if you want the full burger, go here
https://saturdays.substack.com/p/the-big-england-senegal-preview

but since it's a forum and I am wanting to be a quality contributor to the conversation my summary was basically
Sabaly and Sarr have been legit very very good together down the Senegal right attacking, this has left them weak at the back there, and Shaw has been extremely progressive as well.

It should be a fascinating area to watch, I think Rashford should be playing in front of Shaw as Sterling all year has looked physically worn down and weak while Rashford's performance last game was outstanding as a finisher, which England do need right now.

expect senegal to have basically nothing through the midfield, their midfielders are not there for that and England have been a rock wall defensively there. the only cracks they have shown are in being a bit open to quick attacks, which Senegal specialize in.

how England can neutralize that right side attack will be interesting, I think they should do it by attacking through it but Southgate probably thinks the other way. this is a real contest, Senegal were solid in the group, played the Dutch absolutely level if not tilted slightly toward them.

England remain one of the best teams in the field.

 

England has great track record against African teams. But Senegal is exactly the type of team England dislike playing. Could be interesting.

 

I have this being a tight one. England advancing with a 2-1 win (A.E.T).

Goals: Koulibaly (33rd minute), Kane (Penalty - 85th minute), Foden (109th minute)

 

This is VAR era. Not more diving pens for African teams

 

yeah this could be one that goes to extra time, actually I agree with almost everything here except that I think England could get a VAR PK and probably a Senegal goal being dissallowed with VAR too

 

In.

 

Do they really have a great record ?

Both Nigeria and Algeria drew against them with pretty much the weakest teams they've sent to the world cup. Nigeria was even giving young bench players experience, because they were already knocked out.

Cameroon drew against them.

They barely beat a mediocre Tunisia side in 2018.

It's not a bad record in that they haven't been beaten, but I wouldn't exactly call it a great record.

 

In the sense they always seem to unconvicingly eke out some sort of result.

 

So if they beat Senegal are you putting Senegal alongside Nigeria and Algeria or Tunisia?

Because it seems like if Senegal beats England it is normal but if England beats Senegal you will pull a list of excuses

 

Cameroon were the better team back in 1990. Lost on a fake penalty and mental issues of keeping their cool for the whole game. They went to panic defending near the end after outplaying England for most of the game.

I don't think England is super special, but Senegal miss any standout player with Mane gone. I cross my fingers that Kouyate plays, because Senegal desperately need him.

 

Well an England team has NEVER been beaten by an African team in any football match, whether tournament or friendly..........that's a 'good record' isn't it!?

Of course it doesn't mean they'll necessarily win this one, I'm just saying that up until now that's got to be considered a 'good record' surely!?

 

Again depends how you want to look at it.

In terms of simply being undefeated, yeah it's good.

In terms of beating teams you are supposedly better than, it's actually a very poor record, which could indicate England may struggle against Senegal.

 

Well if you look at it like this - England has NEVER lost ANY football match to ANY African national team then it suggest a pretty bloody good historical record doesn't it!?

How the hell can that 'actually' be a poor record!? lol.

Of course they 'may struggle' against Senegal but historically by NEVER losing to ANY African team in ANY football match suggests that historically they haven't 'struggled' no!?

 

Tough Tough match. I think England wins but on penalties.

 

Senegal looks be without Gana Gueye and Cheikhou Kouyate, the midfield backbone. Coupled with losing Sadio Mane, this isn't good.

Of course this could be mind games, but wondering how Senegal will line up midfield without their key duo?

Papa Gueye and Pape Matar Sarr (but he's played so little for Tottenham) are quality, but Kouyate was special for Senegal.

https://www.90min.com/posts/senegal-manager-aliou-cisse-at-risk-of-missing-england-clash

 

will be rooting for Senegal here but I see England passing

 

If there's one thing Senegal has plenty of, it's defensive midfielders.

That Ciss guy from Spain looks good and Mendy is a workhorse.

It's better they miss guys in midfield (who are more easily replaceable) than any of their defenders or forward line.

But yeah injuries and suspensions have not been kind to Senegal.

 

One of the most expected matchs in this round 16. I think England will qualify but wouldn't be surprised if they struggle against a Sénégal making thé match tough for them.

 

Rooting for Senegal but think England will grab the win. Likely as a result of Senegal giving away free kicks and possibly a pk.

 

I have a feeling at least one African team will clinch a 1/4 final. I worry for Senegal because the injuries have ruled out multiple players that are the backbone of the team. If not for that I would be more confident Senegal would pull through. This should have been Mane's World Cup.

 

I think England will run into problems tonight.

Group B wasn't very challenging. We saw yesterday how the Netherlands took the USA out of the trournament with relatieve ease while England only managed to draw the USA.

Senegal also put up a very good fight against the Netherlands losing only due to Mendy not being at his best.

It may sound weird but Senegal might be galvanized by all the injuries. I liked what I saw. They look to me more conhesive than at the last AFCON which they won.

The history is full of England having an off day at some point.

Having watched how England drew Germany 3-3 in the final NL game I don't think all their issues are evaporated just by having a good performance in a lenient group.

I think extra time and penalties might be on the cards here.

 

Maybe not resting all your hopes on one players is a boon? Look at Poland or to an extent Argentina. That said I was expecting more from Krepin Diatta and he has dissapointed.

On the balance of play Senegal were arguably the better side vs Holland.

On the plus side Gana Gueye is past it. I think both Papa Gueye from Marseille, Pathe Cisse of Vallecano and Pathe Sarr of Tottenham are probably better than him now. I really think Senegal misses Kouyate.

Side note - outfield size watch:
England won't have the physical advantage they are used to. Senegal's outfield players are massive. (They are so elegant in their movements despite their size BTW)