* The former Chelsea goalkeeper produced great saves to deny Kristoffer Ajer and Martin Odegaard and keep Senegal in the game
* However, after a mistake by defender Kalidou Koulibaly, Mendy was not able to deny Norway’s Erling Haaland
Maravi Express
Senegal will have to navigate their final FIFA World Cup™ 2026 Group I fixture against Iraq without their first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who has been ruled out owing to an injury he sustained against Norway.
The 34-year-old Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli custodian played in the opening fixture against France, which the Lions of Teranga lost 1-3 and coach Pape Thiaw kept faith in the experienced Mendy against Norway in which the former Chelsea goalkeeper produced great saves to deny Kristoffer Ajer and Martin Odegaard and keep Senegal in the game.
However, after a mistake by defender Kalidou Koulibaly, Mendy was not able to deny Norway’s Erling Haaland and their night became even more difficult shortly after Norway’s third goal when Mendy had to leave the pitch through injury, and was replaced by Mory Diaw.
Mory Diaw
The Senegalese Football Federation has now announced that he will be absent against the Iraqis, against whom the Lions of Teranga will try to win convincingly to have any hope of qualifying for the Round of 32.
“Following a left knee injury sustained during the match against Norway, Edouard Mendy will be unavailable for Senegal’s next game,” read part of the statement from Senegal FA. “Further medical examinations are underway to accurately assess the nature of his injury and determine his continued participation in the competition.”
Ahead of the all-important encounter on Friday, Senegal forward Sadio Mane has remained confident that the West Africans will still qualify for the knockout stage despite losing their first two matches.
Sadio Mane
“We are all disappointed. We went onto the pitch wanting to win this match (against Norway). Unfortunately, the football gods weren’t with us,” said the former Liverpool forward after the second consecutive defeat.
“Norway deserved their victory. As for us, we will try to regroup tonight and prepare well for the match against Iraq. I think we still have a good chance of qualifying.
“We still believe. We just need to regroup and keep working. Time will be the best judge.”
Meanwhile, Senegal star Ismail Jakobs has defended Koulibaly after putting up a poor show against Norway, refusing to single out any individual responsibility.
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“Koulibaly is an important player for us. Everyone makes mistakes. In the end, it’s the team that loses, not just one person. I think he’s experienced enough to hold his head high,” Jakobs said.
“As a team, it’s not one person’s fault, it’s the whole team’s fault. We have a lot of experienced players and young players.
“We have a good mix. We fought hard to get here. We waited a long time too. We’re going to give our best so things don’t end like this.”
But Koulibaly himself conceded that he made “a lot of mistakes”, saying: “Top-level football is all about the details. The team that makes the fewest mistakes often wins.
“Today, I made a lot of mistakes. It’s a real shame to lose a match like that. We know the level of the World Cup is very high. We can’t afford to. It was very difficult chasing the game but I think the team reacted well mentally.
“The players did everything they could to snatch a draw. Now, we have to believe until the end. We’re going to try to play a great match and win against Iraq”.—Reporting by Flashscore News; editing by Maravi Express
Group stage results
Group A
Mexico 2-0 South Africa
South Korea 2-1 Czechia
Czech Republic 1-2 South Africa
Mexico 1-0 South Korea
South Africa 1-0 South Korea
Czech Republic 0-3 Mexico
Group B
Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Qatar 1-1 Switzerland
Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina
Canada 6-0 Qatar
Switzerland 2-1 Canada
Bosnia & Herzegovina 3-1 Qatar
Group C
Brazil 1-1 Morocco
Haiti 0-1 Scotland
Scotland 0-1 Morocco
Brazil 3-0 Haiti
Group D
USA 4-1 Paraguay
Australia 2-0 Turkiye
USA 2-1 Australia
Turkiye 0-1 Paraguay
Group E
Côte d’Ivoire 1-0 Ecuador
Germany 7-1 Curaçao
Germany 2-1 Côte d’Ivoire
Ecuador 0-0 Curaçao
Group F
Netherlands 2-2 Japan
Sweden 5-1 Tunisia
Tunisia 0-4 Japan
Netherlands 5-1 Sweden
Group G
Belgium 1-1 Egypt
Iran 2-2 New Zealand
Beligium 0-0
New Zealand 1-3
Group H
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay
Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde
Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia
Group I
France 3-1 Senegal
Iraq 1-4 Norway
Norway 3-2 Senegal
France 3-0 Iraq
Group J
Argentina 3-0 Algeria
Austria 3-1 Jordan
Argentina 2-0 Austria
Jordan 1-2 Tunisia
Group K
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia
Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan
Colombia 1-0 DR Congo
Group L
England 4-2 Croatia
Ghana 1-0 Panama
England 0-0 Ghana
Panama 0-1 Croatia
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