Sadio Mané's reaction to Senegal's elimination at the hands of England

England had no trouble in eliminating Senegal in the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup. They won 3-0 with goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka to advance to the quarter-finals. They will face France in the quest to reach the semi-finals.

The clash between England and Senegal generated anticipation for Sadio Mané, who played many years in the Premier League and became a legend at Liverpool. The Three Lions started as favourites to reach the quarter-finals, although the Africans proved a tough opponent to beat.

More Liverpool news:

Cristiano Ronaldo has already defined his future after the World Cup, this is what he is asking of Liverpool

He left the World Cup humiliated and now wants to return to Liverpool

England finishing top of Group A was the least expected of a side almost entirely made up of the best the Premier League has to offer, while the Senegalese were pleasantly surprised to finish just a point behind the Netherlands, drawing strength from where there was none after the loss of star striker Sadio Mané.

Although the Bayern Munich player cannot be celebrating with his team today, the striker is surely proud to see his team-mates achieve their goal without relying on him, with an impatience welling up inside him to be able to play as soon as possible. The England game brought back fond memories with some of his players, as not so long ago both Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold shared the field at Liverpool.

Mané clearly preferred his team's progression to the next round of the World Cup, but deep down he knows his heart will be split in two if Hendo and Arnold. In some ways the Bavarian attacker will be both happy and sad at the game, for although he knows Senegal come in as the underdogs, he knows they can surprise and knock out one of the favourites to win the title.

Mané proud of Senegal

Unable to do anything for his national team, Mané has no choice but to be an emotional factor through his social networks, where there will surely be no shortage of support after Senegal's elimination. Should the Africans be eliminated, Sadio Mané will still be happy to see his former teammates continue to fight for a footballer's greatest dream.