It’s been a tough
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Heading into the World Cup, expectations were high in the Senegal camp. Ranked 15th in the world at tournament kick-off, there was genuine belief that this team could eclipse their 2002 quarter-finalist forebears.
Two games in, that belief has diminshed. Performances on the pitch have fallen below the Lions of Teranga’s usual high standards, while there are also issues inside the squad, with Thiaw saying earlier in the week: “It is true there have been a couple of creases that need to be ironed out.”
Despite the negatives, a victory in Toronto would lift the spirits, especially if Senegal advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams. To do so, they’ll need their talented front line to make up for their defensive frailties, especially with first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy sidelined through injury.
Ismaila Sarr has already demonstrated his quality with two well-taken goals against Norway, while Sadio Mane has produced several dangerous moments across the first two games. However, Nicolas Jackson has struggled.
When it comes to Iraq, it always looked like they had a huge mountain to climb when drawn in Group I. The last team to qualify for the World Cup, they have come up against two of the world’s great strikers in Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
Understandably, they struggled against both France and Norway, but they will retain hope that they can end their tournament with a positive result against Senegal.
Top scorer Aymen Hussein is likely to miss out, though, after coming off injured in the first half against France.
Senegal vs Iraq: Group I
FourFourTwo’s prediction
Senegal 2-0 Iraq
FourFourTwo expects the Lions of Teranga to have too much quality in attack and they should run out comfortable winners.
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