After going up 3-0 at half time, the World Cup debutants held on for a 3-3 draw against the South Americans in Group A action from Suwon, South Korea, earning a place in the second round of the tournament.
As a result of the tie, Senegal finishes in second place in Group A with five points - one win and two ties - and will now face the winner of Group F on June 16. Denmark defeated defending World Cup champions France 2-0 on Tuesday in Incheon, South Korea to finish in first place in Group A with seven points. The Danes will now play the second place team in Group F on June 15.
El Hadji Diouf of Senegal shields the ball from Gustavo Varela of Uruguay during World Cup action on Tuesday. The two teams played to a 3-3 tie. (All Sport Photo)
"It is a historic day for Senegal," said the Africans' French coach Bruno Metsu. "It is their first participation and to be part of the 16 best teams in the world I think is really an extraordinary success."
"It was engrossing, moving, difficult, and it was a fantastic spectacle."
"We showed the world that Senegal is a very small country, but we are a very big people," said midfielder Khalilou Fadiga.
"Victory is very, very beautiful," added Senegalese captain Aliou Cisse
Victory might be beautiful, but the actual game was anything but, as referee Jan Wegereef handed out 12 yellow cards. The match was further marred by several controversial officiating decisions.
The South Americans controlled the pace of the game in the opening 20 minutes until a costly weak back-pass by team captain Paolo Montero to goalkeeper Fabian Carini was intercepted by Senegal's El Hadji Diouf -- forcing Carini to come out and challenge the striker for the ball inside the penalty area.
Although Carini received a yellow card and Senegal was awarded a penalty shot, replays actually showed that Carini never touched Diouf - the clever striker managed to propel himself over Carini and dupe the referee into awarding the penalty.
Moments later, Fadiga stepped up to the penalty spot and hammered the ball past Carini to give Senegal a 1-0 lead.
Another controversial decision by the referee - who waved on play even though the linesman had called Senegal on an offside infraction - allowed Papa Bouba Diop's second goal of the match in the 38th minute.
With a 3-0 advantage at half time, Senegal appeared to have built what looked like an insurmountable lead.
But someone forget to tell Uruguay that, as they refused to pack up their tent and go home. Instead, the South Americans showed a great deal of heart and resolve in clawing its way back into the game and coming within inches of stealing a victory in the waning minutes of the match.
Uruguay rallied from the outset of the second half, putting Senegal under constant pressure and pinning them down in their half of the field.
Second-half substitute Richard Morales scored in the first minute of the second frame and Manchester United's Diego Forlan scored in the 69th minute to make a game of it. The comeback was completed when Morales was brought down by Habib Beye in the penalty area and Alvaro Recoba levelled the score in the 88th minute from the penalty spot.
Needing a win to advance, Uruguay desperately pressed forward for its fourth goal of the half and nearly pulled out a victory in extra time when Senegalese defender Lamine Diatta headed the ball off his goal line and, with a wide open net a few yards away, Morales sent a header wide of the post.
"We're bitter," Forlan said. "One goal could have made the difference and we should have had it at the end.... The team was doing all it could to change the outcome in the second half. The goal at the beginning of the second half gave us a lift."
Senegal's improbable qualification into the second round set off massive celebrations back home in the capital of Dakar. Thousands of fans took to the streets waving flags, while taxis and cars honked their horns in salute to their heroes.
"This truly is history," cried Amenda Diaw.
"For us, this draw is a victory," said Salam Diop. "It was very tough match. We were trembling until the end. The main thing is that we qualified."
"Nobody expected this level of competition," offered Sedikh Mbow. "Hat's off to the boys. From now on, Senegalese soccer will be respected."
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With files from the Associated Press
