Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said his side must improve their finishing after a 3-1 defeat to France in their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match. Senegal created several chances in a strong first-half display but failed to convert them. Thiaw also called for a more compact defence and urged his players to regroup quickly ahead of a crucial match against Norway.
New Jersey, June 16: Senegal coach Pape Thiaw urged greater efficiency from his side after they dominated the first half against France but failed to capitalise on their opportunities. France punished them in the second half to register a 3-1 victory in the opening Group I World Cup match at MetLife Stadium here.
Senegal Rue Missed Chances Against France
"We have some regrets. The score would have been different if we were more efficient in finishing. France was more efficient in the second half. We did commit some mistakes, but it was a collective mistake," said Thiaw after the match.
"Sometimes we had a low-line block, and we were very passive on the pitch, and we need to be more aggressive against the ball carriers so that certain passes don't happen like that (resulting in goals)," he added, referring to how France’s forward line of Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola capitalised on defensive lapses in the final quarter of the game.
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