Senegal U20s Outclassed by Brazil in World Cup Semi-Final
By BBC Sport Africa
Senegal’s remarkable run at the FIFA U20 World Cup came to a crushing halt as they suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Brazil in the semi-finals. The five-time champions showed their class and experience to dismantle the debutants, ending the Lion Cubs’ dream of reaching the final.
Despite reaching the last four in their maiden appearance at the tournament, Senegal were overwhelmed from the outset. The match started disastrously for Joseph Koto’s side, with a bizarre own goal by Andelinou Correa just five minutes in, setting the tone for a long afternoon.
Only two minutes later, Brazil doubled their lead. A neat exchange between Gabriel Jesus and Marcos Guilherme ended with the latter slotting home to make it 2-0. The floodgates remained wide open, as Boschilia added a third in the 19th minute with a composed finish.
Senegal struggled to regain their footing and were punished again before the break. Jorge netted Brazil’s fourth goal in the 37th minute, rounding off a dominant first-half display that left the Lion Cubs stunned.
Things went from bad to worse in the second half when Senegal were reduced to 10 men after Elimane Cissé received a red card. Brazil, already in full control, took advantage of the numerical superiority and sealed the rout with a fifth goal in the 78th minute—Marcos Guilherme grabbing his second of the match.
Despite the heavy defeat, Senegal exit the tournament with pride. Their journey to the semi-finals included impressive victories and showcased the nation’s rising football talent on the global stage. For a team competing in its first U20 World Cup, reaching the final four is a significant achievement.
Senegal will now regroup and look to end their campaign on a high when they face the third-place play-off on 20 June. Regardless of the result, their performance in this tournament signals a promising future for Senegalese football.