Senegal coach Pape Thiaw believes his team’s defensive vulnerability has become the biggest obstacle to their World Cup ambitions after the Teranga Lions conceded six goals across their opening two matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The West Africans suffered a damaging 3-2 defeat to Norway on Sunday night, leaving them rooted to the bottom of Group I and facing a difficult battle to reach the knockout rounds.
While Senegal have scored three times in their first two fixtures, Thiaw suggested the issue lies not in attack but in their inability to prevent opponents from capitalising on chances.
Speaking after the defeat, the former international admitted the defensive record was a major concern, particularly at a tournament where elite forwards punish even the smallest mistakes.
“Our strength was not to score goals,” Thiaw told reporters.
“Today, we scored six goals in two games. It means that we have to be really effective in our area and not give opportunities.
“We are also in a very big competition, which is the World Cup, the cream of competition. There are only great attackers. They do not have enough clear opportunities to put them at the bottom.”
His comments reflected a growing frustration after Senegal were once again punished at critical moments against Norway.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw says his side must tighten up defensively after conceding six goals in two World Cup matches, insisting the Teranga Lions cannot afford to give top attackers chances at this level.
The Lions fell behind just before half-time before conceding again shortly after the restart, leaving them chasing the game for much of the second half.
Thiaw acknowledged that conceding at such key moments made life extremely difficult for his players.
“It is a very difficult moment when you take a goal just before going to half-time,” he said.
“It is a blow. Then you have to mobilise them.
“When they came back, they were completely focused on getting the equaliser, but unfortunately we conceded very quickly again. After that, it is not easy to run behind a 2-0 scoreline.”
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Norway striker Erling Haaland was central to Senegal’s problems, scoring twice to continue his impressive tournament.
Thiaw was quick to praise the Manchester City forward but stressed that the defeat could not be reduced to one player alone.
“We knew him. We don’t need to introduce him,” the Senegal coach said.
“He is a very effective player.
“We were playing against a Norwegian team, not against Haaland. But unfortunately, he scored two goals. We have to congratulate him.”
The defeat followed Senegal’s opening loss to France, meaning they have now conceded six goals in two matches, an unusually poor defensive return for a nation that has often built its success on organization and resilience.
Despite the setback, Thiaw remains convinced lessons can still be learned before Senegal’s decisive final group match against Iraq.
“We are going to review this match and learn from it so that we do not make the same mistakes and go forward,” he said.
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With qualification hopes hanging by a thread, Senegal now need victory in their final group game while hoping other results go their way.
