Overpowered by a more clinical and efficient Norwegian team, Senegal lost 3-2 on Monday night in the second match of Group I of the 2026 World Cup.
The defeat now puts the Lions of Teranga in a precarious position ahead of their final group stage match.
After the match, captain Kalidou Koulibaly did not shirk his responsibilities and admitted that he had not played up to his best.
Speaking to reporters, the Senegalese defender pointed out that big games are often decided by small details.
“Top-level soccer comes down to the details. The team that makes the fewest mistakes wins.”
Realistic about his performance, the former Napoli player then acknowledged his share of the blame for the loss.
“Today, I think I made a lot of mistakes. It’s a shame, because losing a match like this is always disappointing, especially in the World Cup.”
Koulibaly also emphasized the high standards of the top level of competition and the price that even the slightest lapses can cost in such a high-caliber tournament.
“We know the level of play at the World Cup is very high. We can’t afford to make mistakes.”
Despite Norway’s dominance for much of the match, the Senegalese captain praised his team’s attitude, noting that they never stopped fighting.
“Today, we gave it our all to win this match. It’s very difficult to play catch-up. But I think mentally, the team responded well. Despite that, I sensed a certain energy.”
Senegal’s future in the tournament will now hinge on its third and final match against Iraq, as the team must bounce back from this defeat, which highlighted the Lions defensive struggles against a particularly inspired Norway.
