Rise of a Football God

(GROUP J:)

(Senegal vs Czech Republic)

(Venue: NRG Stadium, USA)

(Date: June 29th, 2026)

(Time: 16:00)

The next day after Netherlands ripped Tunisia apart, Senegal took on Czech Republic in another high-stakes FIFA World Cup group stage game.

It was poised to be a tough game between 2 capable teams, both desperate to get all 3 points from the game to keep their World Cup dreams alive.

Senegal started in a 4-3-3 formation, Edouard Mendy in between the posts, while ahead of him was a defensive quadruple of Diouf, Niakhate, Koulibaly, and Diatta. Their midfield trio comprised Camara, Idrissa Gueye, and Diarra.

Senegal's front trio comprised Ismaila Sarr in left wing, Nicolas Jackson through the middle as the striker, and Ndiaye as the right winger.

As for Czech Republic, they started in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Kovar in between the posts, and a defensive quadruple of Coufal, Holes, Krejci, and Zeleny. Their midfield comprised Soucek and Cerv, while in attack there was Cerny in right wing, Hlozek in left wing, Sulc in attacking midfield, and Patrick Shick leading the line as the striker of the team.

It was another FIFA World Cup thriller that ended in a close score line.

Czech Republic held possession more than Senegal, but the Senegalese were the more threatening team in attack.

It was as much a clash of footballing philosophies and strategy as it was a clash of players and coach playing styles.

Czech Republic stunned Senegal, breaking the deadlock in the 23rd minute of the game as Hlozek, the left winger burst into the 18-yard box after a rampaging dribble down the left hand side of the pitch.

He exchanged a one-two pass with Sulc, the attacking midfielder, before eventually flicking the ball to Patrick Schick who took just 2 touches of the ball.

One touch to control it, a loose control that made the ball rise too high for him, and his second touch was a daring improvised bicycle kick.

BAM!

Patrick Schick's move caught the Senegalese defense off-guard, including their goalkeeper as the ball entered the net while the goalkeeper was still rooted to one spot.

"GOALLLLL…!!!" The commentators roared.

"Patrick Schick, you boy!"

"What a goal!!!"

"Senegal has been torn open!"

Lost in a trance due to the euphoria of scoring the first goal of the game to give his country the lead in a FIFA World Cup game, Patrick Schick charged towards the corner flag, sliding on his knees in celebration even as tens of thousands of Czech Republic fans rose to their feet, cheering and chanting excitedly.

23 minutes, 0-1 to Czech Republic.

And suddenly, Senegal were under pressure.

That goal changed the game, turning it more physical, more intense, and most importantly turning it into a do or die game filled with fouls.

The referee handed 3 yellow cards out before the first half came to an end.

But the first half didn't end like that, not before Senegal could make their mark. And Senegal did just that in the 40th minute of the game.

In the 40th minute, Ismaila Sarr burst to life, rounding down the right side of the pitch just like Hlozek did and unlike the Czech Republic left winger, he decided to go himself, unleashing a perfect curled shot that beat the goalkeeper, finding its way to the top right corner of the net.

It was a stunning golazo.

BOOM!

The NRG Stadium in USA roared to life as Senegalese fans erupted in loud roars of ecstasy, celebrating the equalizer.

What a game. What a first half.

The first half of the game came to an end 1-1.

The 2nd half of the game started with even more urgency, pushing the players to go well and beyond their usual limits.

And this time, Senegal was the team who broke the deadlock first, Diarra, the Senegalese midfielder striking this time as he unleashed a piledriver shot from 20 yards out, stunning Czech Republic and giving them the lead for the first time this game.

The celebrations among the Senegalese fans could not be curbed.

They expressed their joy, turning the stadium into a cauldron of noise.

And yet, it was not over yet.

The game was still far from being over.

Just 3 minutes after Senegal scored in the 62nd minute of the game, Czech Republic stroke a second time this game.

And this time, it was their star striker, Patrick Schick.

It came from a corner kick routine.

The striker rose highest in the box, beating all the Senegalese defenders with his height and physicality before heading home to make it 2-2.

BOOM!

The NRG Stadium exploded again as Czech Republic fans came back to life.

The atmosphere in the stadium was crazy, explosive.

What a game.

And yet, it was not over yet.

Czech Republic equalized the game in the 65th minute, setting it up for one of the most tense final 15 minutes of this FIFA World Cup.

Senegal introduced the Liverpool legend and Senegalese veteran, Sadio Mane to the game after the 75th minute, adding an entirely new dimension to the game as it became even more tense and filled with action.

None of the 2 countries even entertained the thought of playing defensive football.

All that rang in their mind was…

'Win!' 'Win!' 'Win!'

'Attack!' 'Attack!' 'Attack!'

And they did just that, attack, fueled by the motivations of their coach.

Their coaches fidgeted in the sidelines, tense as they watched their players run themselves to the ground in a desperate search for the 3 points.

Senegal attacked. Czech Republic attacked.

Czech Republic defended. Senegal defended.

The tension in the stadium hit a fever pitch, reaching boiling temperature.

70th minute, no goal…

80th minute, no goal…

85th minute, no goal…

90th minute, no goal…

And then, in the 90th plus 3rd minute, magic happened.

Ismaila Sarr played Sadio Mane on, playing a clever pass that cut Czech Republic's defense open, sending the Liverpool legend on his way towards goal.

Sadio Mane didn't miss his moment, running with pace and composure, arriving before the goalkeeper before pushing the ball in between his legs.

BOOM!

The RNG Stadium in USA exploded.

In the final minute of the game, Sadio Mane got Senegal the winner.

All the Czech Republic players collapsed on the pitch.

The game ended 3-2 to Senegal, and Ismaila Sarr won the man of the match award.

What a game.