Pape Gueye’s brace helped Senegal come from behind to beat Sudan 3-1 and reach the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-finals, while also extending their unbeaten record in H2Hs to eight matches.
Having not scored a goal of their own in the entire group stage, Sudan left Senegal stunned just six minutes into proceedings as Aamir Abdallah worked enough space from Ismail Jakobs to curl a beautiful effort into the far corner.
The Lions of Teranga immediately set about their search for an equaliser, although Ismaila Sarr fired straight at Monged Elneel and Sadio Mane blazed a shot harmlessly over either side of Abdallah getting another attempt off at the other end.
There was a break in play due to a clash of heads between Habib Diarra and Ammar Taifour, yet Sudan continued to compete with Mohamed Eisa forcing Edouard Mendy into a save.
Gueye saw his shot from the edge of the box routinely saved by Elneel, who then did superbly to get across his goal and deny Nicolas Jackson.
There was nothing the Sudan goalkeeper could do shortly after, though, as Gueye picked out the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Sarr then thought he had won a penalty and scored a goal but was caught offside on both occasions, although Gueye applied another clinical finish in stoppage time to ensure his side went into the break ahead.
Sheddy Barglan was denied and Mohamed Saeed Ahmed blazed a shot off-target as Sudan looked to begin the second half how they started the first, but they were unable to break through and suffered a blow when Mustafa Karshom went off injured.
Senegal spent plenty of time on top, even if they couldn’t initially add to their issues as Boulaye Dia and Krepin Diatta were both wasteful at the end of eye-catching passages of play.
Ibrahim Mbaye provided their buffer just three minutes after coming off the bench, as he raced onto Mané’s ball behind and beat Elneel at the near post.
Mbaye then headed over from El Hadji Malick Diouf’s cross, but Diatta’s challenge on Al Gozoli Nooh ensured there were no late nerves as Senegal’s ninth competitive match in a row unbeaten took them to the AFCON quarter-final, where they will meet Mali or Tunisia.
