Senegal 2-0 Sudan Player Ratings: Kalidou Koulibaly 8.5/10 Rated as Lions of Teranga Cruise to a 2-0 Victory

What a controlled performance we just witnessed from Senegal. The home side demonstrated exactly why they are a powerhouse, securing a comfortable 2-0 win over a struggling Sudan in this CAF World Cup Qualifiers match. They already ended the encounter in the first-half spell. The Lions of Teranga came out with intent and hunger. And it felt inevitable that they would score at any given point. Captain Kalidou Koulibaly, of all people, unleashed a powerful header that flew into the net. Before Sudan could even regroup, Pape Matar Sarr added a second with another brilliant strike, effectively ending the contest before halftime. The gulf in class was evident from the get-go.

The second half was a more pedestrian affair, a testament to Senegal's dominance. They took their foot off the gas and controlled possession. Sudan offered little resistance; frankly, they were outmatched in every department. It was a professional, dominant display from the home side, who barely broke a sweat to claim all three points. Here are the Senegal vs Sudan player ratings.

Senegal Player Ratings vs Sudan

Here are the Senegal player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Edouard Mendy - 6.5: Probably the easiest clean sheet he will ever keep. We noticed he was a spectator for most of the match. Sudan simply couldn't get a meaningful shot on target. He was composed on the couple of occasions he was called upon to claim a cross. An uneventful but faultless evening's work.

Defenders

Kalidou Koulibaly - 8.5: What a performance from the captain. He set the tone with a thunderous goal to open the scoring. Defensively he was a rock, winning every duel and organizing the backline with authority. He even had an assist to his name. From our perspective this was the highest-rated player on the pitch. A true leader's display.

Moussa Niakhaté - 6.5: Had a solid game alongside his captain before being substituted around the hour mark. He looked comfortable and wasn't really tested by the Sudan attack. Did his job without any fuss. It was a straightforward outing for the defender.

El Hadji Malick Diouf - 7.0: Played the full match and looked incredibly energetic. While listed as a midfielder, he slotted into the defense seamlessly. He got up and down the flank, providing support in attack while remaining diligent with his defensive duties. A very promising and versatile performance that caught our eye.

Midfielders

Pape Gueye - 7.0: The anchor in midfield. He was immense in breaking up what little attacking threat Sudan posed. His work rate allowed the more creative players to roam free and cause damage. A classic destroyer performance, he patrolled the midfield with real authority. Unsung hero stuff.

Habib Diarra - 6.5: A neat and tidy performance in his hour on the pitch. He kept possession moving and linked play effectively between the defense and attack. He didn't do anything spectacular but he also didn't put a foot wrong. A reliable, solid showing.

Pape Matar Sarr - 8.0: Absolutely electric. His goal was a thing of beauty, a powerful strike that left the keeper with no chance. Beyond the goal, he was a bundle of energy, making driving runs from deep. His performance really disappointed Sudan's midfield who couldn't handle him.

Krépin Diatta - 7.5: Provided a great assist for the opening goal. His delivery from wide areas was a constant menace for the Sudanese defence. He worked his socks off for the team, tracking back and helping out defensively. A very effective and disciplined performance on the wing.

Iliman Ndiaye - 6.5: Showed flashes of his undeniable talent. There were some lovely touches and turns that got you excited. However, he drifted out of the game for periods. We were left wanting a little more from him, as he's capable of dominating games like this.

Sadio Mané - 6.5: A surprisingly quiet game for the superstar. He was closely marked and struggled to find space to operate in his usual devastating fashion. He worked hard for the team, but the final ball or shot just wasn't there for him tonight. Even on an off night he draws so much attention.

Forwards

Boulaye Dia - 6.0: It was a frustrating night for the striker. He made plenty of runs and tried to stretch the defense but was starved of clear-cut chances. Picked up a yellow card for a clumsy challenge born out of that frustration. He just couldn't get into the game.

Substitutes

Nicolas Jackson - N/A: Came on to see the game out when the job was already done.

Manager

Pape Thiaw - 7.5: His game plan worked to perfection. He sent his team out to attack from the start and they killed the game off in 45 minutes. His substitutions were sensible, allowing him to rest key players. A thoroughly professional job from the manager.

Sudan Player Ratings vs Senegal

Here are the Sudan player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Mohamed Abooja - 5.0: A difficult night for the keeper. He conceded two goals but in truth, he stood little chance with either of them. They were powerful, well-placed shots. He looked a bit shaky under pressure, especially from set-pieces. A tough experience against a top side.

Defenders

Bakhit Khamis - 5.0: The captain had a torrid time against Senegal's fluid attack. He tried his best to organize a defense that was constantly being pulled apart. Earned a yellow card for a late tackle. It was a thankless task for him against such quality opposition.

Mustafa Karshoum - 5.5: He battled hard and made a number of clearances. What stood out to us was that he never stopped trying. However, he was part of a defensive unit that was simply overwhelmed. He was constantly putting out fires all evening.

Mohamed Saeed Ahmed - 5.0: Really struggled to contain the likes of Diatta and Mané. He was often isolated and beaten too easily. He ran himself into the ground but the quality gap was just too large. A very long and difficult 90 minutes.

Altayeb Abaker - 5.5: Similar to his defensive colleagues, he was under immense pressure from the first whistle. He made a couple of important interceptions but was part of a backline that looked vulnerable every time Senegal attacked. An exhausting night's work.

Abdelrahman Kuku - 4.5: A nightmare first half. He was completely overrun on his side of the pitch. The fact he was substituted at halftime tells the whole story. Senegal targeted him and got a lot of joy. A performance he will want to forget quickly.

Midfielders

Walieldin Khidir - 6.0: One of the few bright spots for Sudan. He looked composed on the ball and tried to initiate attacks whenever he could. He kept working and fighting in a midfield battle he was destined to lose. Probably Sudan's best player on the night.

Yaser Awad Boshara - 5.5: Chased shadows for most of the game. He worked tirelessly but was unable to get close to Senegal's midfield. They passed the ball around him with ease. He was completely bypassed for large spells of the match.

Salaheldin Adil - 5.0: A truly anonymous performance. We struggled to notice his impact on the game. He was unable to get on the ball and influence play in any meaningful way before being subbed. A passenger.

Forwards

Mohamed Eisa - 5.5: The definition of isolated. He was left all alone up front with absolutely no service. He chased hopeful long balls and tried to press the Senegal defenders, but it was a futile effort. You have to feel for a striker in that situation.

Abo Eisa - 5.0: Just like his strike partner, he was starved of possession. He barely had a kick of the ball in an attacking sense. He was a ghost for much of the match before his substitution. A deeply frustrating outing for him.

Substitutes

Musa Hussien - N/A: Came on but were unable to change the flow of the game. The damage was already done, and Senegal was in cruise control.

Manager

Kwesi Appiah - 5.0: His team was set up in a way that just couldn't cope with Senegal's quality. They were tactically outclassed from the start. They offered no attacking threat and were defensively porous. A bad day at the office for the manager.