Until the 86th minute on Wednesday evening in Seattle, Senegal was in the middle of a dream. He led 2-0 against Belgium and was quietly heading towards the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Then, everything collapsed. The Red Devils came back to 2-2 and went past the shoulder in the 125th minute on a penalty from Youri Tielemans, plunging the Lions of Teranga into despair.
And also in the sporting crisis. Shortly after the match, Pape Gueye, the midfield star, made a shocking announcement on social networks. He decided to temporarily turn his back on his international career at just 27 years old because of his coach, Pape Thiaw.
“I will come back to say a few words to you about the elimination…, wrote the player who belongs to Villarreal. But I am announcing today that as long as it is this technical staff, I will take a break from the selection.
This settling of scores follows the unfair treatment he believes he received during this World Cup. Starting against France, Norway and Belgium, he was replaced each time between the 54th and 83rd minutes. “We had physical problems, so there were players who were tired. We had to make changes,” explained coach Pape Thiaw.
The Belgian coach also criticizes Senegal
Explanations refuted by the player. “I felt good physically. It’s the coach who decides… but it’s a question of respect.”
In view of the situation, Pape Gueye will perhaps find a certain pleasure in listening to the statements of Rudi Garcia, the coach, who also highlighted Senegal’s tactical choices. “We know these teams, they lose their tactical structure at the end of the match,” he declared. They did everything to protect their goal, which in my opinion is a big mistake. Remind me, when we are 2-0 up, not to do that.”
