Senegal 3-1 Cameroon - Goals from Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diallo and Sadio Mane send defending AFCON champions into last 16

Defending champions Senegal clinched their place in the knockouts of the Africa Cup of Nations with a game to spare with a 3-1 win over Cameroon, who are at risk of elimination.

Goals by Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diallo and Sadio Mane ensured Aliou Cisse’s side secured a statement victory - their second of the tournament having seen off Gambia 3-0 in their opener.

Jean-Charles Castelletto’s header gave Cameroon hope but they could not find an equaliser, leaving The Indomitable Lions with just one point from two games in Group C.

There had not been a goal in this fixture since 1992 but it took just 16 minutes for the first to arrive in Yamoussoukro. Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana failed to cover himself in glory as his punch presented Sarr with a chance and his deflected effort nestled in the bottom corner.

Missing key strikers Vincent Aboubakar and Karl Toko Ekambi, the latter named on the bench, Cameroon lacked a focal point, and tasked with breaking down a side that had only conceded once in their last eight group games, they struggled in their quest for a response.

Senegal doubled their advantage in the 71st minute when Sarr’s excellent cross put it on a plate for Diallo who was left with a simple tap in.

Cameroon failed to register a shot on target until the 83rd minute when defender Castelletto popped up with a header to give his side hope.

Former Tottenham midfielder Georges-Kevin N'Koudou almost snatched an unlikely equaliser for Cameroon but inexplicably headed wide from point-blank range, and in the next attack Mane’s precision finish made sure of the points.

The result means Senegal top the table with six points while Cameroon are third, ahead of Gambia who play Guinea later on Friday.

Five-time winners Cameroon are facing the embarrassment of being eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations at the group stage.

The obvious problem is a lack of goals throughout Rigobert Song’s team. Without 2022 Golden Boot winner Vincent Aboubakar, injured on the eve of the tournament, Cameroon lack a natural scorer. Karl Toko Ekambi, so often the striker they have relied on over the years, could only make the bench.

Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, cut a frustrated figure in the stands as the supporters inside the Charles Konan Banny Stadium jeered the players. There is still time to turn their predicament around - they will likely need to beat Gambia on Tuesday - but the signs suggest these are troubling times for the African heavyweights.

How Cameroon crave a player in the mould of the Marseille forward. The 25-year-old was a livewire throughout, finishing with a goal and his second assist of the tournament.

Senegal: Mendy 5, Diatta 6, Koulibaly 6, A Diallo 6, Jakobs 6, Camara 7, PM Sarr 7, Gueye 7, Sarr 8*, Diallo 7, Mane 7. Subs: Ndiaye N/A, Jackson N/A, Ciss N/A.

Cameroon: Onana 5, Castelletto 6, Wooh 5, Tchato 5, Tolo 6, Neyou 4, Kemen 5, Anguissa 5, Nkoudou 4, Magri 4, Ngamaleu 4. Subs: Moumbagna 5, Ntcham N/A, Tchamadeu N/A.

16’ - GOAL! SENEGAL 1-0 CAMEROON (ISMAILA SARR): We have a goal! And it's Senegal who have taken the lead - but poor Onana didn't cover himself in glory! Man Utd's goalkeeper fails to make a telling connection with his punch as Cameroon try to clear their lines from a corner. The loose ball falls to Sarr whose deflected effort nestles in the bottom corner.

71’ - SENEGAL 2-0 CAMEROON (ABDOU DIALLO): Diallo finally has his goal and Senegal now have one foot in the knockout stages - but what dreadful defending from Cameroon. There is indecision in Cameroon's defence as the impressive Sarr reacts quickest to a loose ball on the right flank. He looks up and rolls a pass across the face of goal, leaving Diallo with a simple tap in.

83' - GOAL! SENEGAL 2-1 CAMEROON (JEAN-CHARLES CASTELLETTO): Hope for Cameroon! Castelletto heads home from substitute Ntcham's cross and suddenly it's game on again!

90'+4 - HOW DID HE MISS?! Castelletto delivers an inch-perfect cross and, from point-blank range, Cameroon's Nkoudou misses the target with a header, kicking the post in frustration! They won't get a better chance to equalise.

90'+5 - GOAL! SENEGAL 3-1 CAMEROON (SADIO MANE): Mane seals the victory with a precision finish from Gueye's cut-back! Cameroon are immediately punished for their profligacy.

Senegal extended their unbeaten run at the Africa Cup of Nations to nine games - their last defeat came against Algeria in July 2019 (1-0).

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