Senegal 2-1 Ecuador
KALIDOU KOULIBALY SCORED a second-half winner as Senegal beat Ecuador 2-1 to finish second in Group A and book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup.
Watford forward Ismaila Sarr kept his cool to slot in a penalty spot just before half-time, but Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo equalised in the 68th minute.
Senegal, though, were soon back in front when captain Koulibaly fired the ball home following a free-kick to send his side into the knockout stage – and a potential showdown with England.
Former West Ham and Everton striker Enner Valencia – scorer of three goals in the first two games – shook off an ankle problem to start for Ecuador, who would have qualified with a draw.
Senegal, the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champions, had a great chance inside the opening two minutes when the ball ran through the penalty area to Idrissa Gueye, but the Everton midfielder dragged his shot wide.
Youssouf Sabaly then played Boulaye Dia into the right side of the box, but his low, angled shot went across the face of goal and past the far post before Sarr cut in from the left and curled a shot wide of the top corner.
Senegal, who beat hosts Qatar after losing their opening group match against the Netherlands, were awarded a penalty just before half-time when Piero Hincapie collided into Sarr.
The Hornets frontman got up to take the spot-kick himself and calmly rolled the ball past Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez.
After seeing lots more possession, Ecuador equalised in the 68th minute when Brighton midfielder Caicedo lashed the ball in from close range following a corner.
Senegal, though, were soon back in front from a set-piece of their own with 20 minutes left.
Chelsea defender Koulibaly arrived at the far post to fire home his first international goal when a deep free-kick had been knocked back across the six-yard box.
Ecuador went on the offensive again as Aliou Cisse’s men sat back to protect their lead.
While Ecuador pushed forward, they looked vulnerable on the counter, with Dia firing just wide as the Lions of Teranga held out for a memorable victory to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in 20 years.
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Anyone else sick of all this ‘he lost the dressing room’ rubbish as if its acceptable for players to down tools or not try because they dislike the manager? If I was a Chelsea fan, I’d be outraged. These players are grown men or astronomical wages. The fact that it’s seen as acceptable in modern football for players to not bother sums up everything that’s wrong with it
To be fair to some of the players beano, n there’s a few of them that I really don’t like, I think it’s mainly mourinhos attitude / ego / bizarre post match interviews, and his deplorable treatment of the medical staff that is responsible for this! Players are responsible for their own performances I agree but when there’s been a consistent and prolonged malfunction like this one then the buck has to stop with the manager. And frankly his behaviour throughout this whole period has been disgraceful. If the manager is behaving in that way, why would the players play or behave any better. ?
Redundancy of 40.000.000 €!! Happy days special one…
Maybe now the players who have been playing totally rubbish will start getting the stick they deserve with no mourinho to blame or to Base the news stories on when Chelsea lose.
just be cafeful passing stamford bridge cause they giving ev1 3points:-)
Absolutely insane sacking Mourinho. After all he’s done for the club you would think he earned the right to stay until the end of the season at least. If 2 or 3 players were an issue in the dressing room he would have gotten rid in January.
Did you same the same about Garry Monk?
why did this take so long