Senegal had a tough evening against Norway in their second outing of the competition. Despite a performance filled with commitment and determination, the Lions of Teranga fell short in a match that could have easily swung in their favor multiple times. This defeat complicates Senegal’s chances of qualification and puts Pape Thiaw’s men in a tricky situation ahead of their final group match.
Among the few bright spots of the night was Ismaïla Sarr’s performance. The Senegalese forward shone by scoring both of his team’s goals, once again confirming his importance in the Lions’ attacking setup. Very active throughout the match, he tried to push his team towards a positive result. However, his efforts weren’t enough to avoid a painful defeat against a Norwegian side that showed efficiency at crucial moments.
At the final whistle, disappointment was clear on the faces of the Senegalese players. Aware that they had let precious points slip away, several key players showed their frustration. Ismaïla Sarr did not hide his bitterness when he faced the media. The double scorer of the night acknowledged the difficulty of explaining such a result after the efforts put in by the entire team during the match.
Speaking to RTS, the Senegalese forward shared a reaction filled with sadness and responsibility. He stated: “I don’t have the words, because we have no right to do this. But hey, it’s football, we will keep working. We need to make our people and supporters proud. We will keep working.” This statement reflects the general sentiment within the squad, aware that they missed an important opportunity to get closer to qualification.
Despite the disappointment, the player wanted to send a message of hope to Senegalese supporters. Refusing to give in to discouragement, he emphasized the need to stay focused until the end of the competition. “Today, we did everything, but we lost. That’s it, we will keep working, it’s not over yet. We are here for football, we are here for the Senegalese people,” he added. His words show the group’s determination to keep fighting despite the now unfavorable context.
🚨 Ismaila Sarr 🇸🇳 after the defeat against Norway: “I DON’T HAVE THE WORDS, WE HAVE NO RIGHT TO DO THIS. ❌
We will keep working and make our people, our supporters proud.”
🎙️ Mixed Zone pic.twitter.com/e2RHhSfTPh
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) June 23, 2026
Senegal still holds a slim hope of qualification, but their fate no longer solely depends on their own results.
The Lions must react in their next match while hoping for favorable outcomes in other groups. During this challenging time, Ismaïla Sarr’s statements reflect the mindset of a team hurt by defeat but still unwilling to abandon their ambitions.
