Overview
- Senegal surrendered a 2-0 lead and lost 3-2 to Belgium after extra time when a late VAR review awarded Youri Tielemans a penalty, a match reported across outlets on Wednesday.
- Hours after the defeat, midfielder Pape Gueye posted on social media that he will take a break from the national team while the current technical staff remain in charge.
- Gueye had been benched in Senegal’s previous group game in Toronto, returned to start against Belgium in Seattle, and was substituted midway through the second half.
- Coach Pape Bouna Thiaw has faced heavy criticism in the Senegalese press and is reported to be banned for the first five matches of AFCON qualifying, limiting his authority in the coming months.
- The dispute deepens existing governance strains after CAF overturned Senegal’s 2025 AFCON final and the Senegalese Football Federation has appealed that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, leaving selection and leadership choices uncertain.