Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has defended the substitutions made during his side’s dramatic World Cup defeat to Belgium, insisting they were driven by player fatigue rather than tactical considerations.
The Lions of Teranga looked set to reach the last 16 after establishing a two-goal lead, only for Belgium to mount a stunning late comeback and secure a 3-2 victory, ending Senegal’s campaign in heartbreaking fashion.
Some observers questioned Thiaw’s changes as Senegal gradually lost control of the contest, but the coach dismissed suggestions that his substitutions disrupted the team’s rhythm.
Instead, he revealed several players had reached their physical limit and could no longer continue.
“It was more about the demands of the players who couldn’t take it anymore and who were tired,” Thiaw said after the match.
“I think leaving them on the pitch would have been a professional fault.”
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The Senegal coach explained that his replacements were made on a like-for-like basis rather than as part of a tactical reshuffle.
He stressed that protecting exhausted players was the only responsible decision, even if the outcome ultimately fuelled criticism after the collapse.
“We had to get them out and replace them position for position. That’s for sure,” he added.
Thiaw acknowledged that once a team loses after surrendering a 2-0 advantage, attention inevitably shifts towards the decisions made from the bench.
However, he urged against placing too much emphasis on the substitutions alone.
“Once we lose, especially when we had led 2-0 and they came back, people will naturally talk about the substitutes. But we shouldn’t focus too much on that.”
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