Koulibaly sent off on 100th Senegal cap as Teranga Lions ease past Benin 3-0 | OneFootball

Senegal defeated Benin 3-0 in their final group fixture at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at the Grand Stade de Tanger on Tuesday.

Kalidou Koulibaly made his 100th appearance for Senegal, but the milestone ended on a sour note as he was sent off in the second half and will now miss the round of 16 clash.

The game began with a slow tempo with no clear chances at both ends until Benin’s Mohamed Tijani rifled a shot over the bar in the 23rd minute.

Senegal broke the deadlock in the 38th minute. Abdoulaye Seck rose high to head Krepin Diatta’s well-delivered free-kick beyond Dandjinou’s reach.

Benin pushed for the equaliser before the interval, but failed to pose much threat to Edouard Mendy in the Senegal goal.

Senegal’s Habib Diarra registered the first attempt after the break, racing through acres of space in the middle before smashing an effort wide.

Mendy then denied Ayegun Tosin from breaching his goal, getting down to keep out his effort.

Senegal doubled their lead after the hour mark as Sadio Mane did well to beat his marker, before laying a cutback to Habib Diallo, who finished brilliantly.

The Teranga Lions suffered a big blow in the 71st minute, as Koulibaly was dismissed.

Olaitan nearly capitalised on the numerical advantage, striking a fierce free-kick towards goal, but Mendy did well to tip it over.

Cherif Ndiaye completed the scoring for the 2021 champions from the penalty spot in stoppage time.

Senegal have claimed top spot in Group D, while DR Congo finished second.