Senegal Fail To Reach Knockout Stages At FIFA U-20 World Cup

African champions Senegal couldn't make it past the group stage at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup following a one-all draw against Colombia in their final group game on Saturday.

The early exit of the Teranga Cubs from the tournament came in a heartbreaking fashion deep into second-half stoppage time. 

Their 1-0 lead which they held on to since Mamadou Lamine Camara scored in the 30th minute was cancelled out by a 95th-minute equaliser from Óscar Cortés.

The late goal dropped Senegal to last place in Group C, five points behind Colombia (7 pts) who finished as table toppers.

Senegal only needed a win against Colombia to move into the second round, having lost their opening match to Japan (3 pts) and shared the spoils in their second group game with Israel (4 pts), taking just one point from their first two games. 

The outcome of the match makes it the first time Senegal has exited the U20 World Cup at the first round stage.

With the African champions out, Nigeria, Gambia and Tunisia are the countries still representing Africa in the tournament, although the Flying Eagles and the Young Scorpion have already qualified for the Round of 16.