Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye has announced an indefinite break from international football following the Teranga Lions’ dramatic FIFA World Cup exit to Belgium, saying he will not return to the national team while the current technical staff remain in charge. His decision deepens the crisis surrounding the African champions after a turbulent year on and off the pitch.
News
Hours after Senegal’s agonising 3-2 defeat to Belgium in the World Cup round of 32, Pape Gueye confirmed on Instagram that he was stepping away from the national team.
“As long as this technical staff are in place, I will be taking a break from the national team,” the 27-year-old wrote, adding that he would speak further about the team’s elimination at a later stage.
Although Gueye did not explicitly mention head coach Pape Thiaw, his statement was widely interpreted as criticism of the coaching setup.
Details
Collapse against Belgium proves costly
Senegal appeared to be cruising into the last 16 after goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaïla Sarr handed the African champions a 2-0 advantage with just minutes remaining.
However, Romelu Lukaku pulled one back in the 86th minute before Youri Tielemans equalised three minutes later. Tielemans then converted a penalty deep into extra time after Lamine Camara conceded a foul in the area, completing one of the tournament’s most dramatic comebacks.
Analysis
Substitution sparks questions
Gueye, who had returned to the starting lineup after scoring twice off the bench in Senegal’s 5-0 victory over Iraq, was substituted in the 66th minute with his side comfortably leading.
After the match, Thiaw said he believed the midfielder was beginning to tire, but Gueye rejected that explanation.
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