Mendy Injured in Loss to Norway
Senegal's first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy will miss Friday's crucial World Cup Group I encounter against Iraq after suffering a knee injury in Monday's 3-2 defeat to Norway, the Senegalese football federation announced on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old shot-stopper was hurt while attempting a save and was forced to leave the field in the 63rd minute, with Norway already leading 3-1. Ismaila Sarr scored his second goal of the match in added time to narrow the deficit, but Senegal ultimately fell short.
Ligament Issue Suspected
Media reports indicate that Mendy may have sustained a ligament problem. The Senegal team posted on X (formerly Twitter) that further medical examinations are underway to precisely assess the nature of his injury and determine the course of his participation in the competition.
Senegal and Iraq both head into the final group game in Toronto with two losses each, making the match a must-win for both sides to keep their knockout-stage hopes alive. Mendy's absence is a significant blow to Senegal's defensive setup as they seek their first points of the tournament.
