Senegal finished top of Group D at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Benin 3-0 in a tense final group match played in Tangier.
The Teranga Lions went into the game knowing victory was needed to avoid relying on other results. They took the lead in the 38th minute when Abdoulaye Seck headed home a cross from Krepin Diatta to give Senegal a 1-0 advantage at halftime.
As DR Congo were also winning heavily in their match against Botswana, the fight for first place became very tight. Senegal eased the pressure in the 62nd minute when Habib Diallo calmly finished from close range after a good pass from Sadio Mané.
Drama followed when captain Kalidou Koulibaly was sent off in the 71st minute after a VAR review ruled he had fouled Aiyegun Tosin. Reduced to 10 men, Senegal came under pressure as Benin pushed forward in search of a way back into the game.
Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy produced key saves to keep Senegal ahead, denying Benin from free-kicks and close-range chances. Deep into stoppage time, Senegal finally sealed top spot when Cherif Ndiaye scored from the penalty spot in the 97th minute.
The win meant Senegal finished first in the group on goal difference, ahead of DR Congo. Both teams had already secured qualification before kickoff, but topping the group helped Senegal avoid tougher opponents in the next round.
Senegal will stay in Tangier for their round-of-16 match against either Burkina Faso or Sudan, while Benin will face seven-time champions Egypt in Agadir.
