Senegal delivered a professional and confident performance to defeat Peru 2-0 in an international friendly, marking their first match since the controversial AFCON 2025 final. Nicolas Jackson and Ismaïla Sarr scored either side of half-time as the Lions of Teranga dominated proceedings in front of a passionate home-away-from-home crowd.
The evening began with a powerful statement of defiance. Before kick-off, captain Kalidou Koulibaly and his teammates, including goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, paraded the Africa Cup of Nations trophy around the pitch. This came despite CAF’s recent decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 title and award it to hosts Morocco following an appeal over events in the final. The Senegalese players and staff received a thunderous ovation from thousands of fans in the Stade de France.
Match Summary
Senegal controlled large portions of the game, showing good organisation and attacking intent under coach Pape Thiaw. The first half was relatively even early on, but Senegal grew into the contest and broke the deadlock four minutes before the interval.
41′ — Nicolas Jackson (1-0) Ibrahim Mbaye delivered an excellent assist, and Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson finished clinically from close range with a right-footed shot to give Senegal a deserved lead going into half-time.
The second goal arrived early in the second half, effectively killing off the contest.
54′ — Ismaïla Sarr (2-0) Ismaïla Sarr struck a composed right-footed finish from the centre of the box to make it 2-0. The goal came just ten minutes after the restart and allowed Senegal to manage the remainder of the game comfortably.
Peru struggled to create clear-cut chances, though they showed occasional flashes in midfield. Late attempts, such as a long-range effort from Jairo Concha that sailed over, failed to test Senegal’s defence seriously. The South Americans made several substitutions but could not find a way back into the match.
The game ended with Senegal comfortably in control. No major injuries were reported, and the result provides valuable momentum and match fitness as both teams prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Key Performances
- Nicolas Jackson: Clinical finisher and constant threat in attack.
- Ismaïla Sarr: Scored the second goal and added energy on the flank.
- Ibrahim Mbaye: Provided the assist for the opener and impressed with his creativity.
- Defensive solidity: The backline, featuring players like Moussa Niakhaté and Ismail Jakobs, kept Peru largely at bay.
Senegal lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with Mory Diaw in goal, while Peru operated in a 4-2-3-1 setup with veteran goalkeeper Pedro Gallese between the posts.
Post-Match Context
This victory gives Senegal a positive result ahead of their 2026 World Cup group stage campaign, where they are drawn alongside France, Norway, and either Bolivia or Iraq. The friendly also served as an opportunity for coach Pape Thiaw to assess squad depth and integration.
For Peru, the defeat highlights areas needing improvement as they continue their own preparations.
The pre-match trophy parade and the on-pitch performance combined to create a memorable night for Senegalese fans in Paris, who celebrated both the historical defiance and the three points (in friendly terms).
Final Score: Senegal 2-0 Peru Goals: Jackson 41′ (assist: Mbaye), Sarr 54′ Half-time: 1-0 Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis