da wazamba： The ex-Watford winger was electric for Senegal as they defeated Cameroon on Friday, holding off a late fight-back to do so.
da dobrowin： Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Sarr scored and assistedAndre Onana made vital mistakeCameroon scored late consolationGettyTELL ME MORE
Ismaila Sarr opened the scoring for Senegal, capitalising after Andre Onana had failed to clear with a meek punch, spinning in the area and finishing – with the help of a deflection – into the bottom corner. There was a lack of quality elsewhere in the first half, though, as both sides struggled to find a way to create gilt-edged chances.
In the second period, Senegal added a second through Habib Diallo, as he got on the end of a fine cross across the six-yard box, with Onana this time rooted to the spot. Cameroon pulled a goal back with time running out, as Jean-Charles Castelletto rose highest to power a header into the bottom corner from a short corner routine. The goal came from just their first shot on target.
However, the Indomitable Lions were unable to press ahead and rescue a point from the game, with Georges-Kevin N'Koudou missing a late sitter after an excellent delivery into the box. And Sadio Mane made them pay, going up the other end to add a late third and cap an excellent win, with qualification to the knockout stages now confirmed.
AdvertisementGettyTHE MVP
Sarr scored a great goal and was a constant threat down the flank. His pace and trickery repeatedly troubled Cameroon, and he was an electric presence whenever the ball was at his feet, even providing the assist for Diallo's goal with a superb cut-back. He was so good, Cameroon has to resort to fouling him to stop him.
GettyTHE BIG LOSER
It's hard to look beyond Onana. Although he was wrong-footed by the deflection after Sarr's shot, his weak punch gave Senegal the opportunity to create a chance and get a foothold in the game. Had he claimed the ball properly before Sarr's goal, a point may have been achieved. He was completely incapable of stopping Senegal's second, and he probably could have saved Mane's shot for Senegal's third goal, had he been more athletic in his reactions.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Senegal face Guinea on Tuesday. Cameroon play Gambia on the same day, and will need a win to have any chance of progressing to the knockout stages.