Iliman Ndiaye: How the Senegalese media rated Everton star’s performance in defeat to United States
Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye endured a “paradoxical” display against the United States on Sunday as Senegal were beaten 3-2 in North Carolina.
Sergino Dest and Christian Pulisic both scored to hand the United States an early lead, before Sadio Mane’s brace levelled the scores shortly after the break.
Folarin Balogun’s strike just 11 minutes later would ultimately prove the difference between the sides, however, handing Senegal defeat in their final World Cup warm-up game.
Ndiaye is expected to play a large part in the tournament after an up-and-down season at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton transfer chiefs had been braced for summer interest in the winger, but that possibility appears to have died down.
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VISIT THE EVERTON TRANSFER HUBSenegalese media slam Iliman Ndiaye
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider last month that Ndiaye is increasingly likely to stay at Everton this summer, and performances like Sunday’s will help him do that.
The winger was poor going forward, giving away the ball on several occasions and missing the chance he did have.
| Iliman Ndiaye | Stats vs United States (A) |
| Minutes played | 70 |
| Accurate passes | 14/21 |
| Big chances created | 1 |
| Successful dribbles | 2/3 |
| Tackles | 3 |
| Recoveries | 5 |
| Duels won | 5/12 |
Ndiaye did set up Nicolas Jackson, in fairness, but the striker’s finish was off the mark, and the forward did complete two of his three dribbles.
Defensively, he was superb. Three tackles, five recoveries and five duels won on the day was a testament to how hard the Everton man worked.
Ultimately, though, the 26-year-old did not enjoy a strong display and may have even harmed his chances of starting Senegal’s first game against France later this month.
🇸🇳 Iliman Ndiaye played 70 minutes of Senegal's World Cup warm-up against USA, with the tournament co-hosts claiming a narrow 3-2 victory in North Carolina.
— Everton (@Everton) June 1, 2026
🇺🇦 Vitalii Mykolenko played the full 90 minutes as Ukraine defeated Poland 2-0 in Wrocław. pic.twitter.com/p9yJdiAB8q
Senegalese publication Wiwsport gave Ndiaye a four out of 10 rating, and wrote: “A paradoxical match because Iliman Ndiaye made some good attacking choices with bursts of speed with the ball at his feet, well-weighted passes, like the back pass to Nicolas Jackson (16th minute), and a few attempts, even being denied by Freeze (36th minute). But he wasn’t involved enough in the game.”
Ndiaye on goal drought
Ndiaye’s finishing has never been the greatest part of his game, but recent games have seen the winger appear to lack all confidence in front of goal.
The 26-year-old has not scored, or assisted for that matter, in his last eight games across all competitions.
Iliman Ndiaye bends one right into the top corner! 😍 pic.twitter.com/Aqs59qJyxA
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 21, 2026
His last goal came against Chelsea in March and it was a brilliant finish, but the forward has found himself in similar positions since and lacked the same conviction.
Ndiaye, Senegal and indeed Everton will hope he can break that duck at the World Cup, with confidence the biggest booster.
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