By The Numbers: Senegal Lose First Game v Netherlands

Watching Senegal carve their way through the Netherlands without scoring had a familiar feel. They were the better team for large parts of the game, but as time went on, the depth of quality between the team’s benches was likely to have a say. With 10 minutes to go, I wondered if the draw would have sufficed for Aliou Cisse. That said, anyone watching would have come away very impressed with Senegal (despite the result), and even Loui van Gaal will admit that was a flattering scoreline. Where he could call on his star player Memphis Depay towards the end, Cisse could not afford the same luxury.

Sadio Mane Was Missed

The benefit of having a player like Sadio Mane is that his quality can be the deciding factor in tight matches like this. In his absence, Senegal created enough to get at least a goal, but were not clinical enough with the chances and half-chances they managed upfront. They should have been ahead before the Europeans even had a sniff.

15 – shots for Senegal in this game (5 more than the Netherlands)

3 – shots on target for Senegal before the Netherlands had their first shot

0 – goals for Senegal in this game. This was only the 3rd time they failed to score at the World Cup (in their 9th game)

Senegal Defended Quite Well

Senegal’s AFCON success was built on a solid defence as a foundation. They conceded just two goals in the entire tournament (across 6 games), and that’s usually a sure-proof strategy for tournament football. The defence actually looked good here all round.

14 – tackles by Senegal in this game

100% – tackles won by Senegal in this game (14/14)

10 – dribbles attempted by Netherlands

3 – successful dribbles by the Netherlands

But Came Unstuck At The End

Edouard Mendy should have done better for both goals, and his defence will feel let down after restricting the Netherlands to scraps for most of the game. They limited the in-form Europeans to less than a goal worth of xG, and that defensive performance alone was worthy of a point.

0.66 – xG allowed by Senegal’s defence

0.32 – xG allowed by Senegal until the 83rd minute (as much as Qatar managed in their game)

0 – shots on target by the Netherlands before 83 minutes

Yet again, a late goal caused heartache for the Lions of Teranga. Credit to them for attacking until the end, but the risk of conceding a late goal always lingers in such situations. 

84 – Time that the first goal was conceded

4 – consecutive World Cup games where Senegal have conceded in the final 20 minutes (every game since the 2018 World Cup)

99 – Time that the second goal was conceded, the latest by a Senegalese team in World Cup history

Cheick Kouyate Was Missed After His Injury

With Cheick Kouyate on the field, Senegal imposed a certain level of control on proceedings for large parts of the game. His departure left a hole in the midfield that allowed the Duch more space to venture forward and get the opener.

73 – minutes played by Kouyate

5 – ball recoveries by Kouyate (most for Senegal until his departure)

23 – passes attempted by Kouyate

18 – successful passes for the Crystal palace man

Hopefully, he will be back for the second game.