The defending champions, Senegal, clinched the leading position in Group C at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 victory over Guinea in a contentious match.
Abdoulaye Seck propelled the Teranga Lions into the lead with a header from a free-kick, and Iliman Ndiaye secured victory with a superb low finish in the final minute.
Guinea, already aware of their advancement before the match, secured third place in the group as Cameroon defeated The Gambia 3-2.
Senegal advances from the group stage as the sole team with a perfect record of 100%.
Aliou Cisse’s team will remain in Yamoussoukro and will face a third-placed team from either Group A or F in the Round of 16 on Monday. Meanwhile, Guinea is set to play against Group A winners Equatorial Guinea on Sunday in Abidjan.
The Syli National finished third in the group, trailing Cameroon on goals scored. Their four-point tally resulted in the elimination of four-time continental champions Ghana from the finals, as the Black Stars secured the third spot in Group B with two points.
Monday’s outcomes guaranteed Guinea’s progression as one of the top four third-placed teams at the very least, prompting boss Kaba Diawara to implement seven changes to conserve players for the upcoming knockout stages.
Senegal deployed a formidable starting XI, and both teams were highly motivated for this West African derby. However, the first half lacked shots on target as the teams struggled to create scoring opportunities.
An early altercation arose between players after midfielder Nampalys Mendy’s challenge on Guinea’s Ilaix Moriba. The first notable chance occurred when Mendy unleashed a powerful shot, deflected over the bar by Mohamed Ali Camara’s header.
Despite Guinea’s physical approach, star striker Serhou Guirassy, making his first tournament appearance after injury, found it challenging to outmaneuver Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly.
The defending champions appealed for a penalty just before halftime as star forward Sadio Mane fell to the ground following a tussle with Saidou Sow. However, referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana waved off the appeal.
In first-half injury time, the Burundian official had his hands full when Ismail Jakobs triggered a heated confrontation, involving both sets of substitute benches, after the Senegal left-back shoved Guinea captain Naby Keita to the ground.
Senegal make experience count
In the early stages of the second half, Mane squandered a prime opportunity to break the deadlock with an open goal.
Despite skillfully timing his run and successfully rounding Guinea goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone, the 31-year-old failed to guide his shot on target, sending it wide at the near post.
Fortunately, Mane’s miss did not significantly impact his team, as Senegal executed what was necessary to secure the victory. Seck powered a header into the net in the 61st minute, capitalizing on a precise free-kick delivery from Krepin Diatta. Notably, this goal marked the first shot on target in the entire game.
Former Sheffield United forward Ndiaye then sealed the win by receiving a well-weighted pass from Mane and calmly slotting the ball across goal into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
In the remaining moments, Senegal keeper Edouard Mendy made an exceptional diving save from Morgan Guilavogui’s acrobatic volley, representing Guinea’s best chance of the game.
Although Cisse’s side did not deliver the most convincing performance, they effectively handled a physical Guinea side after previously securing convincing victories against The Gambia and Cameroon in their first two group games.
Senegal maintains their trajectory toward potentially becoming the first team to successfully defend the Afcon trophy since Egypt achieved a third consecutive win in 2010. Meanwhile, Guinea aspires to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015.