Senegal reach the knockout stages of the World Cup after a thrilling 2-1 win over Ecuador.
Chelsea ace Kalidou Koulibaly scored the winning goal just 3 minutes after Ecuador equalized.
Senegal will now face England in the knockout stages, giving the Three Lions the most sensible spot in Group B.
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Farewell from Al Rayyan
That’s it for us at Khalifa International Stadium, but, as we all know, it’s not the end of the action.
Next up is the World Cup clash between England and Wales, while Iran will face the United States in Group B.
If Gareth Southgate’s men win, they will face Senegal in the knockout stages on Sunday. Do you want to know if they take care of that? Then keep it live with us at SunSport.
Thank you for joining us and night.
In addition! Read about it!
Before we all settle in for England’s match against Wales, why ease the Group A drama with Andy Dellion’s report on Senegal’s 2-1 win over Ecuador?
The winning goal a sublime end to the intuition of a loose shot in the 70th minute. A salient shot bounced off Ecuadorian captain Enner Valencia and Koulibaly pounced to bury a ferocious volley in the opposite corner of the net.
Captain Kouli leads by example
Kalidou Koulibaly, the hero when Senegal sealed their position in the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup.
The Teranga Lions captain only scored the decisive winning goal – his country’s first in the 65th attempt – and also held on when Ecuador threw everything on the Senegalese in the final minutes.
Will the Lions face each other in playoffs?
Most likely, Senegal has set a date with England on Sunday, and our own Tom Barclay has assessed the possible meeting between the Three Lions and the victorious Lions of Teranga.
“So it will be Senegal in the next circularArray. . . England will face Wales tonight and dominate their group.
“The Teranga Lions have some tasty players we know well, Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Watford star Ismaila Starr.
“The pair scored in their impressive 2-1 victory that broke the hearts of Ecuadorians and allowed Aliou Cissé’s team to qualify for the knockout stages.
“So did star boy Sadio Mane, who missed the World Cup just before kick-off due to injury.
“A Senegalese with Mane would be to be feared.
“But without that, England can be sure to guarantee safe passage to the quarters, it doesn’t underestimate them at all.
“First, of course, they have to face Gareth Bale and company at Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium tonight. “
The final classification of Group A
The Netherlands’ progress is never in doubt, with only the state of Qatar in their way, but the Dutch controlled to climb to the smartest in Group A.
The drama reached Al Rayyan where Senegal eventually overtook Ecuador by beating the South Americans at Khalifa International Stadium.
That means the Africans are likely England’s warring sides in the knockout stages, unless the Lions are disappointed against Wales tonight.
Cissé sends back to Senegal
What a year for Senegal! Champions of the Africa Cup of Nations in February, the Lions of Teranga have now sealed their position in the knockout stages of the World Cup for a moment.
The first time Senegal reached the knockout stages was in 2002, and the usual is Aliou Cissé; Captain of the finals in South Korea and Japan 20 years ago, the former midfielder is now his country’s go-to type.
With the final whistle, Cissé and his players paid tribute to former Fulham Papa Bouba Diop, who scored Senegal’s first World Cup goal before sadly passing away two years ago today.
Khalifa International Adjustment Statistics
Incredibly, Ecuador ended up having more attempts on goal than the victorious Senegalese, the African country made its count of 3 by scoring two to reserve its place in the knockout stages.
Full time – Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
The ultimate whistle blows!
Senegal did what was expected of them and won at Khalifa International Stadium to secure their place in the knockout stages.
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
90 6. Ecuador prepares the box for one last chance, when one of its players is penalized for a header, Senegalese players celebrate as if they had won the World Cup.
They know they’re almost knocking out now.
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal – Replacement for Senegal
90 5. A tactical change brings Pape Abou Cissé into the game, and Moises Caicedo is helping Boulaye Dia on his way to get him off the field.
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
90 4. Ecuador is coming.
Sarmiento puts a cross into the area, Porozo throws it, but no player can give him the finishing touches because he falls extraordinarily deflected.
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
90 3. No. Not yet, anyway.
The first corner was deflected by Mendy for another, while the moment defended fiercely through the Senegalese.
Three minutes.
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
90 2. Sarmiento launches an Ecuadorian attack from the left, the middle is horrible.
However, the desperate players in yellow regain possession of the ball and take a corner.
Maybe just not, maybe just them?
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
90. There will be six minutes of additional time.
Six minutes for Senegal to endure.
Six minutes for Ecuador to escape.
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
89. Torres tries to throw a long ball into the box, but manages to hit Porozo in the face with it.
Now is the time for such a clowning, guys.
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
88. The time of Ecuador and its World Cup is over.
Since his goal so far, control of Senegal’s game has been in the money.
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal – Replacement for Ecuador
86. In the last five minutes, and they desperately want a goal. It’s a time to commit. . .
A midfielder?
That’s what Gustavo Alfaro did anyway, Jackson Porozo did with Angelo Preciado.
I mean, I guess it can work, in which case Ecuador’s head coach will be portrayed as a genius.
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
85. Coincidentally, Koulibaly’s goal is his country’s first in what is his 65th international appearance.
What a time to mark it!
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
84. Excellent teamwork through Koulibakly and Diallo deprives Valencia of a transparent path to goal.
The striker does not manage a loose shot, but, not for the first time tonight, referee Clément Turpin is indifferent.
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
82. Great game of Dia, who turns his marker with ease and opens the door to attack.
The striker takes two steps forward, then triggers a 20-metre practice that whistles right next to the post near Galíndez.
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
80 The five Senegalese goals in this World Cup were scored by five other players.
Who wishes Sadio Mane after all?
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
78. Senegal pushes to the other end, and when Sarr goes to the ground again, they need a penalty.
They don’t get a loose shot this time, however, they get a corner, and the minutes pass.
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
76. Silver chance to equalize, but after taking an age to control the inside of the area, the midfielder deflected his direct shot over Mendy.
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal – Senegal double replacement
74. Allou Cissé refreshes with a double change.
Nampalys Mendy and Chiekh Dieng are the ones sent with Pathé Ciss and Iliman NDiaye taking a break.
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
72. The Ecuadorian players looked at each other dumbfounded, they still have time.
And while it’s time, there’s hope.
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