80 days to go: Diao’s Daegu dash
FIFA counts down to the World Cup 2026 with a daily statistical story.
Salif Diao raced 80.30 metres to score an entrancing equaliser for Senegal against Denmark at Korea/Japan 2002. When Henri Camara made a superb sliding challenge on Martin Jorgensen, Diao set off from inside his own box and, following a delightful flick from El Hadji Diouf, sprayed a first-time ball into the path of Khalilou Fadiga. Diao then charged between two Danes, collected the adidas Fevernova from Fadiga, and stabbed it home. The ball was in Thomas Sorensen’s net just 14.04 seconds after Diao began his run. The 1-1 draw aided the Lions of Teranga’s fairy-tale charge to the quarter-finals.