Ismaïla Sarr's sparking start to the season continued on Tuesday evening as the Palace No. 7 registered another goal involvement for Senegal, who sealed qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals.
Sarr had made a flying start to the international window last week by scoring twice either side of half-time with two clinical close-range finishes, as Les Lions de la Teranga blew South Sudan away with a dominant performance, eventually winning 5-0. You can watch highlights of that game here.
And with Senegal needing at least a point to seal top spot in their group, they appeared to be on course for a frustrating Tuesday evening in Dakar.
Sarr started for his country to win a landmark 75th cap, but they initially struggled to find the breakthrough until the stroke of half-time, when Sadio Mané's clinical finish set them on their way to victory.
And with his side eventually 3-0 up and cruising in the latter stages, Sarr's fine form continued with a late assist for Habib Diallo, picking a defender's pocket high up the pitch and squaring for his forward to drive home a celebratory late strike. Watch highlights of the game here.
Winning seven of their 10 qualifiers, scoring 22 times, and with no defeats and just three goals conceded in that spell, Sarr and Senegal look well prepared to take on the world next summer.
