The Lions of Teranga, under coach Pape Thiaw, secured their qualification to the knockout stage following a 5-0 victory against Iraq to finish third in their Group I behind Norway, and France, who topped the pile.
Senegal have now been drawn to face Belgium, who like Senegal only registered one victory in their group campaign. They defeated New Zealand 5-1 after drawing 0-0 against Iran and 1-1 against Egypt.
Speaking ahead of the game, Lukaku has opined that the fixture against Senegal will be one of the toughest games they have played so far in the tournament considering the Lions of Teranga are technically and physically a good side.
‘It will be a 50/50 contest’
“It’s going to be a complicated match,” Lukaku, who has scored one goal and provided an assist in three World Cup matches, said as quoted by Wiw Sports.
“Senegal is a top nation with very good players and a very good coach. We respect them enormously.
“I think this match will be one of the most difficult we’ll have to play, because Senegal has mastered many essential aspects of football: they are technically very good and physically very strong, capable of making the difference.
“It will be a real challenge in terms of intensity. It will be 50/50.”
Lukaku further mentioned some of the players he is wary of ahead of the game. He said: “I really appreciate Iliman Ndiaye, who plays for Everton.
“Technically, in one-on-one situations, he’s truly one of the best players at the moment. Ismaila Sarr is very good. Sadio is very good. Nicolas Jackson also has many qualities.”
Lukaku added: “In midfield, there’s that left-footed player from Villarreal - is it Sarr or Gueye? I can’t quite remember, but he (Pape Gueye) is good too.
“And then there’s Idrissa Gueye. In defence, there’s Koulibaly, who remains loyal to himself and his national team. So yes, I really think it will be a difficult match.
“We absolutely mustn’t underestimate them. They’re a really solid team. Let’s see what the match has in store for us, but obviously, we want to qualify. We’ll have to put in another very good performance, and I think we’ll be capable of it.”
Senegal one of best teams in Africa
Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne sang the praises of Senegal labelling them ‘a great footballing nation.”
“Senegal is one of the best teams in Africa. They’ve won the AFCON, they’ve finished first, second… It doesn’t matter, they’re simply a great footballing nation,” De Bruyne told RTBF.
“They have some very good players, against whom I’ve often played.”
Senegal have qualified for the FIFA World Cup four times (2002, 2018, 2022, and 2026). Their best finish was in 2002 when they reached the quarter-finals.
They famously upset reigning champions France in their tournament debut that year, and advanced to the round of 16 in 2022.
Ahead of the game, Senegal have confirmed their first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has returned to Saudi Arabia for medical examinations following his knee injury and could miss the Round of 32 fixture.
Follow the clash with Flashscore.
