Sunday 27 October 2019, 21:55

Senegal shine in first-ever win

  • Senegal overwhelmed USA 4-1 in their maiden U-17 World Cup match

  • The Young Lions of Teranga scored four unanswered goals

  • They earned a crucial win in a group that includes two continental champions

Senegal flipped a nightmarish start to their first FIFA U-17 World Cup match into a dream finish, netting four consecutive times after USA's opening goal to prevail 4-1 at the Estadio Kleber Andrade on Sunday night. Though the Stars and Stripes took the lead three minutes into the match, Senegal reaped the benefits of their high-energy attack.

Senegal [[flag-sen-xs]]

If the African side were shaken after conceding early, they didn't show it. Samba Diallo certainly seemed unfazed; the Senegal forward stretched the USA defence early and often. In the waning seconds of the first half the Young Lions of Teranga found their equaliser through No9 Souleymane Faye. The onslaught truly came in the 72nd and 76th minutes, when goals from Aliou Balde and Amet Faye, respectively broke the match open. Pape Sarr's 88th-minute tally ensured a winning competition debut.

USA [[flag-usa-xs]]

Gianluca Busio's goal had USA off to a perfect start, but the tide quickly turned. The Concacaf runners-up were on their heels bracing against the Senegal attack throughout much of the match. Goalkeeper Damian Las had to stand tall against 21 shots fired, 11 of which hit the target. Even with a marginal possession advantage (57-43), the USA attack were held to only three shots on goal.

Up next

30 October

Group D [[flag-ned-xs]] Netherlands-Senegal [[flag-sen-xs]] (Vitoria/Cariacica, 17:00 local time) [[flag-usa-xs]] USA-Japan [[flag-jpn-xs]] (Vitoria/Cariacica, 20:00 local time)