Senegal command 3-0 victory over Benin in their final Group D encounter, reinforcing their status as one of the primary favorites for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, Morocco 2025 title. The match, held in Tangiers on Tuesday evening, December 30, 2025, saw the “Teranga Lions” exhibit a clinical performance despite a late-game red card. This result allowed Senegal to solidify their position at the summit of the Group D standings, while Benin also secured a path forward in the competition.
Abdoulaye Seck Powers Senegal to First-Half Lead
The Senegal vs Benin clash began with the former champions asserting their dominance early on. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 38th minute when Abdoulaye Seck rose highest in the penalty area. Connecting with a perfectly weighted set-piece from Krépin Diatta, Seck powered a header past the Benin goalkeeper to give his side a well-earned lead heading into the break.
Man of the Match Performance
Abdoulaye Seck’s defensive solidity and goal-scoring contribution earned him the Man of the Match award. Speaking after the game, Seck noted:
“I am delighted to have won the award, but for me, it was a collective team effort. We knew Benin came out to fight, but the effort of everyone ensured we secured this victory.”
Diallo and Mané Combine for the Second
As the second half of this AFCON 2025 fixture unfolded, Benin showed signs of resurgence. Édouard Mendy was called into action several times, denying Aiyegun Tosin and Junior Olaïtan. However, Senegal’s clinical nature was on full display in the 62nd minute.
The legendary Sadio Mané turned provider, threading a neat pass to Habib Diallo. Diallo maintained his composure to fire a left-footed shot into the net from close range, extending the lead. Senegal command 3-0 victory over Benin in their final Group D encounter was now looking like a certainty, though drama was still to follow.
VAR Drama and Koulibaly’s Red Card
The atmosphere shifted in the 71st minute when captain Kalidou Koulibaly was sent off following a VAR review. The dismissal forced Senegal to play the final twenty minutes with only ten men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Senegalese defense remained compact and organized, a testament to the coaching of Pape Thiaw.
Final AFCON 2025: Group D Standings
The conclusion of the matches on Tuesday has finalized the Group D standings. Both Senegal and DR Congo progressed comfortably, while Benin’s journey continues through the third-place rankings.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | Status |
| 1 | Senegal | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +6 | 7 | Qualified (1st) |
| 2 | DR Congo | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +4 | 7 | Qualified (2nd) |
| 3 | Benin | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 3 | Qualified (Best 3rd) |
| 4 | Botswana | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -7 | 0 | Eliminated |
Round of 16 Qualification and Next Steps
Despite the scoreline, the Round of 16 qualification was secured for both teams. Benin advances as one of the best third-placed finishers, thanks to their earlier win in the group.
Benin coach Gerrit Rohr expressed mixed feelings:
“It was difficult to break through their defense even when they were down to ten men. We wanted to avoid yellow cards that would rule out players for the knockouts, which made us cautious. We will correct our mistakes before the next stage.”
Pape Thiaw’s Strategy
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw was pleased with the result but remains focused on the bigger picture. “We managed to achieve our main objective of finishing top. Our next goal is to correct the mistakes made today because, in the Round of 16, there is no room for error.”
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Conclusion
As Senegal command 3-0 victory over Benin in their final Group D encounter, the message to the rest of the continent is clear: the defending champions (in spirit and form) are ready for the knockouts. With a blend of veteran leadership from Koulibaly and Mané, and rising stars like Cherif Ndiaye, the Teranga Lions are the team to beat in Morocco.
Mainstream Media References
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SuperSport: Senegal cruise past Benin to top Group D
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BBC Sport Africa: AFCON 2025: Senegal and Benin both progress to knockouts
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L’Équipe: Le Sénégal s’impose contre le Bénin et termine premier
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