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.
History-maker! 💫
Mohammed Muntari scores Qatar’s first ever World Cup goal!#BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup pic.twitter.com/3qdh8EiVAN
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 25, 2022
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’s joy is short-lived.
Bamba Dieng adds a third for Senegal.
📺📻📲 Watch 🇶🇦 v 🇸🇳 on @BBCiPlayer, listen on @BBCSounds & get more on the @BBCSport app#BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup pic.twitter.com/XzaM0WnIRH
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 25, 2022
📰 Table Of Contents
Qatar player ratings
GK: Meshaal Barsham (6)
RWB: Ismail Mohamad (6.5)
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)
Social media reaction
Qatar are the first host nation to lose multiple group stage games in a single World Cup 😳 pic.twitter.com/DGCiRobl7s
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 25, 2022
🇸🇳 Senegal become the first African team to win a game at the 2022 World Cup
🇶🇦 Qatar could become the first host nation to fail to win a single game at their own World Cup@midnite | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/lFUdgP6MJs
— Squawka (@Squawka) November 25, 2022
Edouard Mendy’s game by numbers vs. Qatar:
35 touches
22 passes completed
7 long balls completed
2 saves
1 key passKept Qatar out with some great saves. 🧤 pic.twitter.com/OFQsGyG2ND
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 25, 2022
Boulaye Dia’s game by numbers vs. Qatar:
100% dribbles completed
100% long balls completed
33 touches
3 aerial duels won
1 key pass
1 goalScored Senegal’s first goal of the 2022 World Cup. 👏 pic.twitter.com/kAneycu6Li
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 25, 2022
Qatar will be the first team eliminated from the World Cup if the Netherlands avoid defeat against Ecuador. pic.twitter.com/PjiGO6yICS
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) November 25, 2022
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