The disappointment is immense for Senegal after this cruel defeat conceded in the dying moments against Belgium. The Lions of Teranga, who delivered a solid performance for much of the match, saw their hopes vanish following a penalty awarded at the very end. This outcome continues to spark numerous reactions in the football world. Among the former stars who have spoken out is Ronaldo Nazário, who did not hide his admiration for Senegal’s performance despite the final result.
The former Ballon d’Or believes the scenario is particularly hard to accept for a team that put in so much effort during the match. According to him, Senegal can harbor immense regrets after letting slip a game they seemed capable of controlling until the last minutes.
“Senegal will be very disappointed by this defeat.
They deserved better.
To fight for almost the entire match and lose in the dying moments is one of the worst ways to bow out in football.”
For Ronaldo Nazário, the performance displayed by the Lions was superior to that of their opponent. While he acknowledges Belgium’s merit in seizing their last opportunity, he believes the Senegalese team produced the better football for most of the match.
“It might be a bit controversial to say this, but I say it because I think it’s important…
Belgium did not deserve the victory.
They found a way to win, and we must give them credit for seizing their chance, but overall, I found Senegal to be the better team.”
The former Brazilian legend also emphasizes the collective qualities shown by Senegal’s players. He highlights their defensive commitment, aggressive pressing, and dominance in midfield, elements that, according to him, often put Belgium in difficulty.
“They defended with courage.
They pressed with aggression.
They dominated midfield for long periods.
The intensity was there from the kickoff to the final minutes.”
However, the turning point of the match remains that penalty awarded in the dying moments. Ronaldo Nazário explains that such a scenario is extremely cruel for a team that had invested so much physically and mentally during the match.
“The hardest part is that penalty.
One moment.
One decision.
That’s all it took to wipe out so much effort.
Whether we agree with the decision or not, it’s a brutal defeat for any team.”
Beyond this decision, the former striker believes Senegal consistently showed better attacking intentions. However, he regrets a lack of efficiency in front of goal, a detail that ultimately made all the difference at the highest level.
“I found Senegal to be the most dangerous team.
They attacked with determination, regained the ball quickly, and seemed hungrier for victory.
They just lacked that little something in front of goal.”
To conclude, Ronaldo Nazário reminds us that a great performance doesn’t always guarantee a positive result. According to him, football rewards efficiency above all, even when a team dominates much of the match. He encourages Senegal to maintain this mindset moving forward, convinced that this level of commitment will eventually pay off.
🚨🎙️ RONALDO NAZARIO ON SENEGAL’S LAST-MINUTE PENALTY HEARTBREAK
🗣️“Senegal will feel so bad about this loss.
They deserve better.
To fight for almost the entire game and lose it in the dying moments is one of the cruelest ways to be knocked down in football.”
“It’s kind of… pic.twitter.com/89WrXAEwkx
“This defeat is bitter because performances like this deserve better.
At the very least, they deserved to bring home a point.
Football doesn’t always reward the best performance, it rewards the team that takes its chances.”
“If Senegal plays with this level of commitment in every match, they will have every reason to be proud, no matter the result.
Tonight, it might not feel that way, but sometimes a great performance deserves more respect than three points.
Unfortunately for them, football isn’t judged by respect, but by the score.”
