The Lions of Teranga reach the round of 16

Senegal came from behind to clinch their place in the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations as they beat Sudan 3-1.

The Teranga Lions surprisingly fell behind in the sixth minute when Amar Abdallah put Sudan ahead in Tangier.

But a brace from Papa Gueye put Senegal ahead 2-1 at half-time, before Ibrahim Mbaye secured victory 13 minutes from the end of normal time.

Senegal will will face Mali or Tunisia in the round of 16.

Senegal comes back to score

Abdallah put Sudan ahead with a superb left-footed effort into the top left corner, but Senegal were quick to dictate proceedings as they looked for a response.

Ismaila Sarr was denied by Monged Abuzaid before Mohamed Eisa forced Edouard Mendy into action at the other end.

Abuzaid again had to thwart Nicolas Jackson from close range with a superb save, but the Sudanese keeper was finally beaten when Gueye found the bottom right corner from just outside the area.

The offside flag denied Senegal a penalty for a foul on Abuzaid’s Sarr, but Papa Gueye completed the turnaround in first-half stoppage time, scoring with his left foot after excellent work from Jackson.

Senegal continued their ascendancy after the break, but it was only when Mbaye collected a long ball from Sadie Mane and struck at the near post that he was able to let go. After a first oscillation in this match, a much more severe test awaits Senegal in the round of 16.