Senegal vs Saudi Arabia
One minute they were champions of their continent, the next it was stripped away from them.
Either way though, they arrive in North America in fine shape.
And in their final international friendly before the start of this summer’s spectacle, they will meet one of the hero nations of the last World Cup 2026 in Texas.
It’s Senegal v Saudi Arabia in San Antonio.
Talking Points
Make no mistake, for all the heroics of Morocco and the class of Kylian Mbappe, there was no greater moment for the neutral in 2022 than the day the Saudis shocked Argentina in the group stages.
A shock on a seismic scale was sealed when Salem Al Dawsari, surrounded by three players, swiftly turned, sidestepped a challenge and rifled a superb shot into the far corner.
It provided one of the World Cup’s most iconic moments and remains the most amazing World Cup result in my lifetime.
The Green Falcons took the scenic route through qualifying, finishing as runners-up to Jordan in the second round and then coming third behind Japan and Australia in the third round. In the fourth round, a 3-2 Group B victory over Indonesia and goalless draw with Iraq were enough to send them through on goal difference ahead of Iraq.
It’s less than two months since former Greece international Georgios Donis took over from Herve Renard – surprisingly to me – the man who masterminded that 2022 triumph.
His first match in charge, a warm-up against Ecuador in New Jersey last weekend, saw them go down to a 2-1 loss.
Donis has coached four Saudi Pro League clubs and knows the league and players, which is why he got the job.
Making the team hard to beat could be his best bet as there were no clean sheets in Renard’s final eight games. Goals are an issue too. Only seven were scored in 10 games in the main round of qualification and none from recognised strikers.
Donis’ 26-man final squad is headlined by captain and chief creative force Salem Al Dawsari, along with France-based defender Saud Abdulhamid and a trio of players from recently crowned AFC Champions League winners Al Ahli.
It’s a busy six months or so ahead for Saudi Arabia who are hosting the Asian Cup for the first time in January and seeking a first continental title since 1996.
Regardless of what happens over the next month or so, Saudi Arabia will always have that 2022 moment and the 1994 World Cup when Saeed Al Owairan’s quite brilliant goal beat Belgium.
It was a moment that transcended Saudi sport. He made a 70-yard dash, confidently and resolutely weaving past five defenders as he covered two-thirds of the pitch, before slotting home an immortal masterpiece. It was Saudi Arabia’s World Cup journey in a single goal.
Whether they can replicate those moments though would be a hell of an ask.
As for Senegal, the Lions of Teranga have a serious bite and will be hoping to match their 2022 efforts when they were knocked out by England at the last 16 stage.
They finished as the pride of the pack by mauling Mauritania 4-0 on the final matchday of group action in the CAF preliminaries, with the irrepressible Sadio Mane leading the charge and bagging a brace. This ensured they pipped Congo DR to top spot following a rip-roaring battle for supremacy.
Fast forward three and a half years and they have core of experienced players to call upon. From Mane to Edouard Mendy, Idrissa Gana Gueye to Kalidou Koulibaly.
They also have a host of current Premier League stars with Habib Diarra, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Ismaila Sarr, Mamadou Sarr, Pape Matar Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye all included in the squad.
Senegal also have a point to prove after the controversy which marred and then was revived after their 1-0 final victory over Morocco in the African Cup of Nations was overturned.
All will hope to shine in a group which also comprises France, Norway and Iraq.
First for some international friendly 2026 highlights.
History
Saudi Arabia has a flawless historical head-to-head record against Senegal, winning both of their two previous international friendly matches.
In 1998 in the Arab Cup in Riyadh, they emerged 3-2 victors with Obeid Al-Dosari, Ibrahim Mater and Ibrahim Suwayyed the marksmen.
They then met in a friendly at the same venue in May 2002 and edged home by the same scoreline.
Sami Al-Jaber (penalty), Al Hasan Al Yami and Suwayyed were the goal-getters on that occasion with Souleymane Camara and El Hadji Diouf (penalty), who was to quickly introduce himself on the world stage a few short weeks later, finding the net for Senegal.
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