Clement Turpin blows the whistle and Ecuador’s World Cup is over. They join Qatar as the teams dumped out of Group A. Ecuador had frustrated Senegal for much of the first-half, knowing their opponents needed to win to progress, but the Africans were awarded a penalty late on after Piero Reyna fouled Ismaila Sarr. The Watford winger confidently tucked his spot-kick away to put Senegal into the driving seat at the break. The Associated Press has the story:
Senegal into last 16 at World Cup, beats Ecuador 2-1
Newslooks- AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP)
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly put his team into the last 16 of the World Cup by volleying home the winner in a 2-1 victory over Ecuador on Tuesday.
Koulibaly scored three minutes after Moises Caicedo had evened the score at 1-1.
Kalidou Koulibaly’s winning goal made him Senegal’s oldest goalscorer at the World Cup (31y 162), while he is their first ever scorer at the tournament to be aged over 30.
It was also Koulibaly’s first ever goal for the Lions of Teranga in 67 appearances in all competitions.
Don’t think it could have come at any better time.
In a must-win match for the African champions, Senegal took the lead after a first-half penalty by Ismaila Sarr. Caicedo scored his goal in the 67th.
At 1-1, Ecuador would have advanced from Group A and Senegal would have been eliminated.
The Netherlands beat Qatar 2-0 in the other match to win the group. Senegal finished second while Ecuador and Qatar were eliminated.
Senegal last advanced from the group stage at the 2002 World Cup, when the team reached the quarterfinals in its tournament debut.
While Netherlands coasted to an easy 2-0 victory over host nation Qatar, Senegal and Ecuador traded blows in a tense 2-1 affair that was ultimately decided by a volley from Senegal’s Kalidou Koulibaly in the 70th minute. The result means Senegal will advance to the Round of 16 alongside Group A winner Netherlands.
Senegal took an early lead in the match on a penalty kick from Ismaïla Sarr, but Ecuador’s Michael Estrada leveled things midway through the second half. Koulibaly’s finish put Senegal ahead for good.
Senegal will likely face England in the knockout round while Netherlands will likely meet the winner of U.S. vs. Iran.
