Senegal defeated Benin 3-0 to claim first place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations group, while the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Botswana and drew with Algeria.

Senegal beat Benin in Group D of the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday to advance to the last 16 as Group D winners, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo finishing second, meaning they will face Algeria in the next round.

Sadio Mane’s 2022 African champions Senegal enter the final round of the group stage needing to beat Benin in Tangier and hoping their Congolese rivals don’t overtake them on goal difference.

Senegal beat Benin 3-0 with goals from Abdoulaye Seke and Habib Diallo and captain Kalidou Koulibaly being sent off in the second half. Sherif Ndiaye then converted a penalty.

DR Congo’s simultaneous 3-0 win over already-eliminated Botswana in Rabat means the leading two teams have seven points from three games each, but Papou Thio’s Senegal are two goals clear at the top.

As a result, Senegal fared much better in the knockout stages and will remain in Tangier for Saturday’s last-16 tie against the third-placed Group E player.

That will be Burkina Faso or Sudan, who will face off in Casablanca on Wednesday.

In contrast, Leopards must face 2019 champions Algeria in the last 16 next Tuesday, with the winner likely to face Nigeria in the quarter-finals.

Benin’s three points from a 1-0 victory over Botswana were enough to make them one of the best third-place teams.

It will be their second appearance in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations and their reward is a meeting with Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in Agadir on Monday.

Senegal took the lead in the 38th minute when Israeli centre-back Seke scored with a header from Krepin Diatta’s free kick. Their second goal came just an hour later, with Mane’s brilliant backpass met by Diallo.

Koulibaly was sent off after his yellow card was upgraded to a red after a VAR review, leaving the Telangana Lions trailing by a man in the final 19 minutes plus injury time.

Ndiaye’s 97th-minute penalty made it 3-0, ending doubts about Senegal’s final place in the group.

Playmaker Gael Kakuta, formerly of Chelsea and now with Turkey, was in fine form against DR Congo against Botswana at the Almedina Stadium, back-heeling Nathanael Mbuku’s opener.

Kakuta converted a penalty shortly before half-time and added his second, and the team’s third, off an assist from Theo Bongonda.

If another goal is scored at this time, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Senegal may have the same record and may face a draw to determine the final group position.

DR Congo thought they had secured victory when Fiston Mayele fired the ball into the back of the net in the 64th minute.