The match, played at the Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier, began with an early shock for the Senegalese faithful. Sudan struck first in the sixth minute when Aamir Abdallah found space inside the box and delivered a composed finish past Senegal’s goalkeeper, giving the underdogs a surprising lead. The early goal thrilled the travelling Sudanese supporters and temporarily silenced the Senegalese contingent, as Sudan demonstrated confidence not usually expected at this stage of the competition.
However, Senegal’s class soon began to shine through. By the end of the first half, the Africans’ top seeds had turned the tide. Pape Gueye, the midfield powerhouse, capitalized on a well-worked build-up to equalize in the 29th minute with a precise shot from outside the box, leveling the game at 1–1. Just before the break, Gueye struck again — this time assisted by Nicolas Jackson — to give Senegal a 2–1 advantage heading into the interval.
The second half saw Senegal continue to control possession and create chances against a dogged Sudanese defense. Their experience and technical superiority were evident as they dictated the tempo and probed for openings. Although Sudan defended with determination and worked tirelessly to keep Senegal at bay, the Teranga Lions’ persistence paid off.
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