Spurs international watch: Absolutely perfect day for midfielder
By Tom Vinall
On Tuesday afternoon, there was Africa Cup of Nations qualifying action for Pape Matar Sarr, with his Senegal side playing Malawi in the second game of their double header during this October international break.
For this game, interim manager Pape Thiaw played Sarr in a double pivot with Idrissa Gana Gueye of Everton.
It worked very well, with Sarr having his best game for club or country in a very long time. The Spurs midfielder played the whole 90 minutes, which in itself is encouraging given his lack of minutes in recent games for his country.
Throughout the game, Spurs' number 29 recorded; 102 touches, 65/71 passes, three chances created, one big chance created, 5/6 accurate long balls, two shots, 7/12 successful dribble attempts, 12/19 ground duels won, 5/5 aerial duels won, two fouls drawn, two interceptions, and three tackles in an absolutely monstrous display.
There has been little doubt over Sarr’s ability off the ball, although those numbers are still extremely impressive regardless. What is even more encouraging to see is just how good those on ball numbers, particularly 5/6 long balls and creating a big chance. All whilst playing in a double pivot, rather than as a number eight with license to get forward like he often players under Ange Postecoglu at Spurs.
It looked like his incredible performance was going to go to waste, with the sides still deadlocked in the closing stages, but Sadio Mane was able to come up with a goal in the sixth and final minute of stoppage time to give Senegal all three points.
This win has secured Senegal’s place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will commence from the 21st of December 2025 to the 18th of January 2026.
They remain second in the group, behind Burkina Faso by literally one goal, with plus six goal difference to their counterparts plus seven, but the most important part, qualification, was secured today.