Benin 0-3 Senegal result - 2021 champions net three despite Kalidou Koulibaly red card and advance to knockout stages as Group D winners

One goal in the first half and two in the second saw Senegal cruise through to the knockout stages as winners of Group D, despite going down to 10 men on 72 minutes. Despite the defeat, Benin will also continue to the last 16 as one of the best third-place finishers.

A physical game between the two sides in Tangier, saw the Rwandan referee issue five yellow cards and one red, as the hard tackles flew in from all directions.

The teams were evenly matched in the first half with the only thing between them a questionable goal from Abdoulaye Seck five minutes before half-time.

In real time it looked like a clean header, as he rose to meet right-back Krepin Diatta’s outswinging free-kick into the box. Replays, however, seemed to show the ball had come off the player’s elbow rather than his head. Nonetheless, after a long deliberation in the video assistant’s office, the goal was confirmed, much to the chagrin of the Benin bench.

In the second 45, Senegal came into their own, allowing Benin few opportunities to put together passing moves and playing the ball back up the pitch at speed. The 2021 champions deservedly doubled their lead on 63 minutes. Sadio Mane made a mesmerising run down the left, before laying it off for Habib Diallo to slot home.

A red card awarded to Kalidou Koulibaly for a calf stamp may have given Benin some hope they could get back into the game, but it was not to be. A 98th-minute penalty, awarded for a clip by Rachid Moumini on Ibrahim Mbaye, was clinically put away by substitute Cherif Ndiaye.

It's a classy right-footed finish, sending the keeper low and right, while slotting it high and left. Job done, chaps. The win secured, along with top place in the group.

Little doubt about it. Mbaye was racing through and Moumini came across, bringing the player down just inside the box.

Through on goal, he makes the keeper guess, but he guesses correctly that the shot's going over his left shoulder. It's a strong save to deny the forward but he should probably have done better from that scenario.

The ball bobbles around in the box and Diatta comes away with the corner.

Cherif Ndiaye comes on for a late cameo.

Moumini, Amoussou and Ahoudo on for Ouorou, Olaitan and Tosin. Last chance hurrah for Gernot Rohr with time running out.

Or the shove for his trouble on Ciss. He got a full fist of the substitute's collar.

Replaced by Pathe Ciss.

But instead of aiming for goal he looks to play it across, allowing Ouorou to get across and cut it out.

Because the fourth Congo goal was chalked off, which means their still one behind on goal difference. Should they score another then that Koulibably red card will almost certainly prove decisive.

And they're not the ones he was planning on ten minutes ago. Mamadou Sarr comes on for Habib Diallo.

Good free kick but Mendy gets the touch needed to tip the ball over. That's experience.

The yellow card is rescinded and Koulibaly is given his marching orders for a stamp on the calf of Aiyegun Tosin. It took a while but it was the right call. Finally Benin get to take the free kick.

It looks as if the referee is being asked to consider whether this should have been a straight red. He's taking a long long look. How many times does he need to see the replay?

For a hack on Tosin on the edge of the Senegalese box.

It's complicated. Because DR Congo are 4-0 up against Botswana, which means the they and Senegal are inseparable by the usual metrics. Unless things change on either pitch, it'll come down to their respective disciplinary or "fair play" records.

Nothing wrong with that one Mane again with the run down the left, before pulling it back for 30 year-old Diallo to slam it home. Great finish.