Idrissa Gana Gueye produced typically energetic midfield display as Senegal drew 2-2 with Japan to put them in a strong position to qualify for the last 16.
The result puts the sides level on four points at the top of Group H, with Senegal set to face Colombia in their final group stage game on Thursday afternoon.
Gana helped set the tempo for his side throughout, with his 41 passes surpassed only by central defender Salif Sane in the Senegal side.
His quality in possession was also evident as he had the highest passing accuracy of any Senegal player that completed the 90 minutes.