Afghanistan thrash Senegal 6-0 to reach Dakar Youth Olympics futsal semi-finals

Afghanistan’s under-18 futsal team stormed into the semi-finals of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games with a commanding 6-0 victory over hosts Senegal on Sunday.

Ali Ahmadi was the star of the match, scoring a hat-trick, while Zakir Hussain Abdullahi, Ahmad Esmaeili and Hussain Hassani also found the net to seal an emphatic win for the Afghan side.

Afghanistan made a flying start, with Ahmadi scoring twice with his left foot to put his team in control. Senegal created several dangerous opportunities in response but were unable to beat Afghan goalkeeper Ahmad Esmaeili.

Zakir Hussain Abdullahi extended Afghanistan’s advantage before the interval, giving the visitors a comfortable lead at half-time.

Senegal came out strongly after the break, needing three goals to keep their hopes of reaching the medal round alive. However, Esmaeili stunned the hosts by scoring from a long clearance that sailed over the opposing players and into the net.

Hussain Hassani added another goal before Ahmadi completed his hat-trick to round off Afghanistan’s impressive performance.

Following the match, Ahmadi expressed his happiness at scoring three goals and praised his team-mates for their support, saying Afghanistan were aiming for the gold medal.

“Our team is playing very well. My team-mates support me and, with the support of Allah, I scored three goals. I feel so happy. Of course, we are coming for the gold medal and, inshallah, we will win it,” he said.

Afghanistan will face Portugal in the semi-finals on Monday at 3:30 p.m. Afghanistan time.

Ariana Television will broadcast the match live and exclusively across Afghanistan.