The host nation, Qatar, are on the verge of exiting their own World Cup in the group stages following a second loss at the tournament. Senegal inflicted a 3-1 defeat on Félix Sánchez’s team to set up a crunch game on the final match day against Ecuador. The AFCON champions now have the chance to become the first African team since Nigeria and Algeria in 2014 to reach the knockout stages.
Unsurprisingly, it was a dominant first-half from Senegal who enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession and attempts, with the hosts mustering just two shots - none of which were on target. The first real bit of action actually fell the way of Qatar, however, as they were denied a strong shout for a penalty. Qatar will rightly feel very aggrieved not to have been awarded a spot kick with Akram Afif being very clearly tripped in the penalty area. Senegal then finally found the breakthrough just before the break as a slip from Boualem Khoukhi gifted Boulaye Dia the opening goal. The defender lost his footing in the box and the ball then ricocheted off him and into the path of the Villarreal striker who stroked the ball home.
Senegal then doubled their lead just after the restart. Famara Diedhiou got on the end of Ismail Jakobs’ corner after making a darting run to the near post to head home. In the 79th minute, Qatar produced history by netting their first-ever World Cup goal. Mohammed Muntari rose above Kalidou Koulibaly to get on the end of Ismail Mohamad’s well-flighted cross. But the Africans then put the game to bed, as substitute Bamba Dieng produced a well-taken finish to claim a crucial three points for Aliou Cissé's team.
Now, a draw between Ecuador and the Netherlands would see the hosts eliminated from the competition. Meanwhile, a failure from Ecuador to beat the European giants would set up a massive final group-stage game between the South Americans and Senegal.
Qatar player ratings
GK: Meshaal Barsham (6)
RWB: Ismail Mohamad (6.5)
CB: Pedro Miguel (6)
CB: Boualem Khoukhi (5)
CB: Abdelkarim Hassan (5)
LWB: Homam Ahmed (6)
CM: Karim Boudiaf (6)
CM: Hassan Al-Haydos (6)
CM: Assim Madibo (6)
ST: Almoez Ali (6)
ST: Akram Afif (7)
Senegal player ratings
GK: Édouard Mendy (8)
RB: Youssouf Sabaly (6)
CB: Kalidou Koulibaly (6.5)
CB: Abdou Diallo (6)
LB: Ismail Jakobs (7)
RM: Ismaïla Sarr (6.5)
CM: Nampalys Mendy (7)
CM: Idrissa Gueye (7)
LM: Krépin Diatta (6)
ST: Famara Diedhiou (6)
ST: Boulaye Dia (8)
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