FIFA WORLD CUP - QATAR 2022 ⚽️🇶🇦

Live reporting by Joseph Kizza
(Scroll down the page for earlier updates)
________________________

8:13 pm   |   SENEGAL, NETHERLANDS THROUGH TO LAST-16

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1-2 Senegal 🇸🇳
🇳🇱 Netherlands 2-0 Qatar 🇶🇦 

That's all for our commentary on this one. On to the next. Cheers!
________________________

8:12 pm   |   SENEGAL, NETHERLANDS THROUGH TO LAST-16

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1-2 Senegal 🇸🇳
🇳🇱 Netherlands 2-0 Qatar 🇶🇦 

This is the second time Senegal have progressed to the knockout stage, having previously achieved this in their debut appearance in 2002, where they went all the way to the quarterfinals.

It is now three World Cup appearances for Senegal and they have advanced from the group on two occasions.

________________________

8:10 pm   |   SENEGAL, NETHERLANDS THROUGH TO LAST-16

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1-2 Senegal 🇸🇳
🇳🇱 Netherlands 2-0 Qatar 🇶🇦 

This is the first time Senegal have won two consecutive games at the World Cup after beating Ecuador and Qatar 3-1.

The Netherlands have progressed to the Round of 16 unbeaten.

Qatar are the first hosts in the history of the World Cup to lose all their group games.

________________________

8:03 pm   |   SENEGAL, NETHERLANDS THROUGH TO LAST-16

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1-2 Senegal 🇸🇳
🇳🇱 Netherlands 2-0 Qatar 🇶🇦 

This is the first time Senegal have beaten a South American side at the World Cup. Their previous encounters were a 3-3 result against Uruguay in 2002 and a 0-1 defeat to Colombia in 2018 - also at the group stage.
________________________

8:00 pm   |   SENEGAL THROUGH TO LAST-16

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1-2 Senegal 🇸🇳
🇳🇱 Netherlands 2-0 Qatar 🇶🇦 

FINAL WHISTLE! SENEGAL ARE INTO THE ROUND OF 16!

The Netherlands advance too after beating hosts Qatar to lead Group A on seven points. Senegal progress on six points.

It is the end of the road - and heartbreak - for Ecuador.

________________________

90 (+5) mins   |   🔁  SUBSTITUTION (Senegal)

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1-2 Senegal 🇸🇳

A last change for the Lions, and the Ecuador players nudge an exhausted Boulaye Dia to hurry off the pitch for play to continue. Pape Abou Cisse is the man on.
________________________

90 (+4) mins  

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1-2 Senegal 🇸🇳

More desperate defending by Senegal but they almost break clear for a counter-attack themselves but the referee's whistle halts that explosive surge.
________________________

90 (+2) mins  

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1-2 Senegal 🇸🇳

Corner for Ecuador. Ball swept into the mixer but Mendy rises highest to tip the ball out for another corner.
________________________

90 mins  

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1-2 Senegal 🇸🇳

SIX MINUTES OF ADDED TIME.

Six minutes for Senegal to hold on and advance to the knockout stage.

Six minutes for Ecuador to find the all-important equaliser and secure that slot.
________________________

88 mins  

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1-2 Senegal 🇸🇳

It is all Ecuador launching hopeful attack after attack and Senegal doing solid defending as the minutes tick aware inside a nervous Khalifa International Stadium. But even amid the tense atmosphere, the drums continue.
________________________

86 mins  

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1-2 Senegal 🇸🇳

An Ecuador freekick from miles away is poorly delivered - and ends with Senegal getting a freekick in their box.
________________________

85 mins   |   🔁  SUBSTITUTION (Ecuador)

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1-2 Senegal 🇸🇳

Gustavo Alfaro brings on fresh legs. Angelo Preciado is the man off and Jackson Gabriel Porozo Vernaza is his replacement.
________________________

82 mins  

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1-2 Senegal 🇸🇳

CHANCE! Boulaye Dia swivels around a minder in a Lions attack and powers a fierce shot towards Hernan Galindez's goal. The ball floats just outside the near post. That shot had plenty of zip in it.
________________________

79 mins  

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1-2 Senegal 🇸🇳

It is nail-biting time as Senegal get a corner. Kalidou Koulibaly sneaks into the mixer but the Ecuador defenders head the ball out of the box.
________________________

77 mins  

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1-2 Senegal 🇸🇳

CHANCE! Ecuador want an instant response too. The ball dances inside Senegal's box and it takes Gonzalo Plata a little too many touches to eventually unleash a weak shot at Edouard Mendy.  Too comfortable for the Chelsea goalstopper.
________________________

75 mins   |   🔁  SUBSTITUTION (Senegal)

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1-2 Senegal 🇸🇳

A double change for Senegal. Bamba Dieng is introduced and off goes Iliman Ndiaye while Pathe Ciss is replaced by Nampalys Mendy.
________________________

73 mins  

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1-2 Senegal 🇸🇳

There has been a clash of heads and Senegal defender Youssouf Sabaly comes off worse and needs attention. The Real Betis man manages to shake it off and is ready to step back on the pitch.
________________________

70 mins   |  ⚽️  GOAL! - Koulibaly (Senegal)

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1-2 Senegal 🇸🇳

Well, well, well. That didn't take long. It takes Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly no longer than three minutes to power his side back in front from a freekick.

Ecuador's bubble deflated. Back to square one for Gustavo Alfaro's men.

________________________

68 mins   |  ⚽️  GOAL! - Caicedo (Ecuador)

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1-1 Senegal 🇸🇳

Ecuador are back in it. Moises Caicedo slots The Tri back to level terms from a corner kick. Mendy, caught flatfooted, had no chance.

________________________

65 mins   |  🟨  YELLOW CARD - Gueye (Senegal)

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-1 Senegal 🇸🇳

He has been asking for it and he gets it. Idrissa Gueye goes in the book for a challenge on Gonzalo Plata, giving away a freekick. He will miss Senegal's round of 16 match - if they go through that is - after gathering two yellow cards.
________________________

64 mins 

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-1 Senegal 🇸🇳

Ecuador make a change. Djorkaeff Reasco is introduced in place of Michael Estrada.
________________________

62 mins 

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-1 Senegal 🇸🇳

A needless nudge by Idrissa Gueye sends Gonzalo Plata on the ground. But it does not warrant any more than a play-on wave from the referee.
________________________

60 mins 

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-1 Senegal 🇸🇳

We have seen this duel play out a number of times already. Angelo Preciado downs goalscorer Sarr to give away a freekick near the left flank. Ismail Jakobs curls the ball in but the Ecuadorians clear the danger.

A shift in attacking momentum.
________________________

58 mins 

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-1 Senegal 🇸🇳

Ecuador are huffing and puffing so far, pegging the Africans back. Cisse's men are solid enough to keep the South Americans at bay.
________________________

56 mins 

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-1 Senegal 🇸🇳

Senegal lose possession around the midfield - and make appeals for a freekick - but the referee sees no problem with the Ecuadorian challenge and waves play to go on. A hopeful cross is dinked into the Lions compact fortress but Chelsea glovesman Edouard Mendy is quickly out to gather.
________________________

54 mins 

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-1 Senegal 🇸🇳

The Teranga Lions last won two games in a single tournament in 2002 - that was a group stage match and a second round match. That year, brace-scorer Henri Camara's winner in extra time helped Senegal  beat Sweden 2-1 to qualify for the quarter-finals, where they eventually lost 0-1 to Turkey. To this day, that remains the reigning champions' best performance at the World Cup.
________________________

52 mins 

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-1 Senegal 🇸🇳

Work for Kalidou Koulibaly as the Senegal skipper and co are forced to defend a dangerous ball squared into their box. It is lethal, but well cleared out of play.

A frustrating start to this half for The Tri.
________________________

50 mins 

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-1 Senegal 🇸🇳

Ecuador plant a deep long cross from a freekick into the Senegal mixer but the ball evades the targetted yellow shirts and ends with Genk defender Angelo Preciado fouling a Lions defender to give away a freekick.
________________________

7:09 pm   |   Netherlands net second against Qatar

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-1 Senegal 🇸🇳
🇳🇱 Netherlands 2-0 Qatar 🇶🇦 

Meanwhile, Frenkie de Jong has improved the Netherlands' lead against the hosts in the other Group A match.
________________________

7:06 pm   |   KICKOFF! - Second half under way

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-1 Senegal 🇸🇳

Action resumes at Khalifa International Stadium as it does the other side at Al Bayt Stadium.
________________________

6:58 pm   |   ⚽️  HALF TIME: SENEGAL, NETHERLANDS LEAD

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-1 Senegal 🇸🇳
🇳🇱 Netherlands 1-0 Qatar 🇶🇦 

By the way, Ismaila Sarr's goal is the fifth penalty scored in the first half at this tournament. It is also the ninth penalty goal at this edition.

The two goals scored in today's Group A games bring to 83 the total of goals that have been scored at Qatar 2022.
________________________

6:52 pm   |   ⚽️  HALF TIME: SENEGAL, NETHERLANDS LEAD

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-1 Senegal 🇸🇳

There goes the half-time whistle.

Senegal and the Netherlands lead at the break in their respective games. As it stands, they are two teams to advance to the knockout stage.
________________________

45 (+4) mins 

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-1 Senegal 🇸🇳

The ball is stuck in Ecuador's half, as Aliou Cisse's men push for a second goal. A tangle between Enner Valencia and Ismail Jakobs results in a melee, but referee Clément Turpin is quick to put the house back in order.
________________________

45 (+2) mins 

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-1 Senegal 🇸🇳

CHANCE! Iliman Ndiaye has been the trouble-in-chief for the Ecuador side and once again, the Sheffield United youngster goes for goal but his effort is deflected out for a corner.

Six minutes of added time is what we have, meanwhile.
________________________

44 mins  |   ⚽️  GOAL! - Sarr (Senegal)

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-1 Senegal 🇸🇳

GET IN! Ismaila Sarr puts Senegal in front with one of the coolest penalty takes you will ever watch. Hernan Galindez's feet remain rooted on the ground.

That is Sarr's 11th international goal and a first at the World Cup.

________________________

41 mins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

PENALTY TO SENEGAL. Piero Hincapie rams hard into Sarr as the Senegal forward races inside the box.
________________________

39 mins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

Moises Caicedo has remained down after a collision with an opponent and needs the physios to check him out.  After being assessed on and briefly off the pitch, the Ecuador man is able to get back into the fray.
________________________

37 mins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

Frantic defending by Ecuador ends with the ball flying out for a Senegal throw-in and Felix Torres screaming madly at his fellow defenders for that complacency. Meanwhile, Ismaila Sarr takes a quick throw for a blistering one-two with a teammate, but the danger is snuffed out.
________________________

34 mins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

A clever ball by Senegal is dropped into Ecuador's box. It is a bouncing one and tricky to deal with but Hernan Galindez dashes out to cradle the ball in the safety of his gloves.
________________________

32 mins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly tracks Enner Valencia on the left flank and goes sliding like a bobsleigher to toe the ball off the Ecuadorian forward's feet. It has been a frustrating opening half for The Tri is an attacking sense.
________________________

29 mins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

Ecuador have progressed to the knockout stages of the World Cup only once in their history - that was at the Germany edition in 2006. They will do so for a second time if they avoid defeat today.

The Senegalese are doing well to keep them at bay as we approach the half-hour mark.
________________________

26 mins  |   Netherlands lead against Qatar

🇳🇱 Netherlands 1-0 Qatar 🇶🇦 

Meanwhile, the Netherlands have taken the lead against Qatar at Al Bayt Stadium, through Cody Gakpo. A mountain to climb for the hosts - who were already eliminated by the way, coming into their last group game.
________________________

24 mins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

Ismail Jakobs sweeps in the corner, but once again an airborne Hernan Galindez climbs onto heads to get to the ball first and punch it out of harm's way.

________________________

23 mins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

Watford forward Ismaila Sarr, who is on his 50th cap for Senegal, does well to peel away from his minder Preciado, leaving the Ecuador man on the ground, and turning nicely to curl a shot goalwards, but the effort is deflected for another Senegal corner.
________________________

21 mins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

Preciado will be able to shake off the knock and action resumes. What is not pausing, though, is the beating of drums in the stands. It is a lively atmosphere. Pure sights and sounds!
________________________

20 mins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

 As Angelo Preciado receives treatment after colliding with Ismaila Sarr, Ecuador's Argentinian head coach Gustavo Alfaro uses the pause in action to issue some directions to midfielder Moises Caicedo on the touchline.
________________________

18 mins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

Senegal have a corner. Monaco man Ismail Jakobs whips the ball into the mixer, and Hernan Galindez flies off his line to punch the ball clear, setting in motion an Ecuadorian attack, which is brought to a screeching stop by the Lions defenders.
________________________

16 mins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

Ecuador are the youngest team from South America at this edition of the World Cup, I gather.

 Now if they avoid defeat here against Senegal, it will be the first time Ecuador have gone through an entire group stage unbeaten. They beat hosts Qatar 2-0 in their opener and drew 1-1 with Netherlands in their second game.
________________________

13 mins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

It is two-way traffic here. These two sides are meeting at the World Cup for the first time. In fact, this is Ecuador's first ever match against an African nation in this competition. But Senegal have beaten Ecuador in their only two friendlies they have played before - in May 2002 (1-0) and December 2005 (2-1).
________________________

11 mins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

Iliman Ndiaye, on his first competitive appearance for Senegal, is creating all sorts of trouble for Hernan Galindez in Ecuador's goal. His effort this time lacks the curl to find the net.
________________________

9 mins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

Ecuador now have a freekick and Enner Valencia will take it. His delivery is blocked though and his team's resulting efforts to salvage something out of that kick are snuffed out by a solid Senegal fortress.
________________________

7 mins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

Another glorious opportunity for the Teranga Lions is wasted as Boulaye Dia, played through nicely by a teammate, drags his shot wide of the far post.
________________________

5 mins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

Sheffield United forward Iliman Ndiaye injects another amount of momentum into Senegal's attacking optimism, and bursts well on the right flank, but his pass into the box is intercepted.
________________________

3 mins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

CLOSE! Senegal surge forward and a squared pass lands invitingly to Idrissa Gueye, whose right-footed shot has power but lacks just the right angle to fly into the back of Ecuador's goal.
________________________

2 mins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

The Ecuadorians are spraying the ball around, providing width to the field.
________________________

6:00 pm  |   KICKOFF! - Action begins

🇪🇨 Ecuador 0-0 Senegal 🇸🇳

And there goes the first whistle after the usual countdown. Ecuador get things started. The sounds of drums are filling the stadium.
________________________

5:58 pm 

🇪🇨 Ecuador v Senegal 🇸🇳 (6pm)

French referee Clément Turpin is in charge of this game. It is his second game at this World Cup, having officiated Group H's opening match between Uruguay and Republic of Korea at Education City Stadium on Thursday last week. That match ended goalless.
________________________

5:53 pm  |   It is about time

🇪🇨 Ecuador v Senegal 🇸🇳 (6pm)

The teams are marching out to a bubbly crowd inside Khalifa International Stadium in Ar-Rayyan.
________________________

5:48 pm  |   The Group A permutations

🇪🇨 Ecuador v Senegal 🇸🇳 (6pm)
🇳🇱 Netherlands v Qatar 🇶🇦 (6pm)

The Netherlands need to win or draw to qualify. They will still qualify if they lose and Ecuador beat Senegal.

Ecuador need to win or draw to qualify. They remain in contention to advance if they lose and Qatar beat the Netherlands.

Senegal need to win to qualify but still remain in contention if they draw and Qatar beat Netherlands.
________________________

5:30 pm  |   The starting lineups

🇪🇨 Ecuador v Senegal 🇸🇳 (6pm)

Ecuador (4-4-2):

Hernan Galindez (GK), Angelo Preciado, Felix Torres, Piero Hincapie, Pervis Estupinan, Gonzalo Plata, Moises Caicedo, Carlos Gruezo, Alan Franco, Michael Estrada, Enner Valencia (C)

Senegal (4-3-3):

Edouard Mendy (GK), Youssouf Sabaly, Kalidou Koulibaly (C), Abdou Diallo, Ismail Jakobs, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Gueye, Pathe Ciss, Iliman Ndiaye, Boulaye Dia, Ismaila Sarr

________________________

5:27 pm  |  Simultaneous round 3 group games

🇪🇨 Ecuador v Senegal 🇸🇳 (6pm)
🇳🇱 Netherlands v Qatar 🇶🇦 (6pm)

The third - and last - round of group matches will be played simultaneously in the respective groups.

This means that in Group A, the Netherlands will play already-eliminated hosts Qatar at Al Bayt Stadium as Ecuador and Senegal square off at Khalifa International Stadium at the same time.

The Dutch go in for their game as the favorites and victory for Louis van Gaal's side will condemn Qatar to a third group defeat - and if that happens, The Maroon will be the first hosts of a World Cup to lose all their three group games.

________________________

5:25 pm  |  Goal stats

🇪🇨 Ecuador v Senegal 🇸🇳 (6pm)

- Eighty-one (81) goals have been scored across the 32 games played so far at Qatar 2022. 

- Twenty-seven (27) goals came in the first half while twice as many of those (54) have been netted in the second half.

- Eight (8) penalty goals have been scored - four in each half.

- At three goals each, Ecuador's Enner Valencia and France's Kylian Mbappe are the joint-top scorers.

________________________

5:19 pm  |  Senegal -W4, D3, L3

🇪🇨 Ecuador v Senegal 🇸🇳 (6pm)

This is Senegal's third World Cup appearance and they are set to play their 11th game.

They have won four games, drawn three and lost three.

They have scored 14 World Cup goals and conceded 13 in a total of 10 matches.

________________________

5:16 pm  |  Ecuador - W5, D2, L5

🇪🇨 Ecuador v Senegal 🇸🇳 (6pm)

Both Ecuador and Senegal have scored one goal more than they have conceded - Ecuador (13 v 12) and Senegal (14 v 13).

Ecuador are set to play their third game at this edition (fourth appearance), which is the 13th match in their World Cup history.

They have won five games, drawn two and lost five of their previous matches.

They have scored 13 goals and conceded 12 in the World Cup.

________________________

5:10 pm 

🇪🇨 Ecuador v Senegal 🇸🇳 (6pm)

Senegal started off their campaign in Qatar with a 0-2 defeat against the Netherlands. They conceded six minutes before time through Cody Gakpo's strike, before Davy Klaasen put the contest to bed in stoppage time.

In their second game against the tournament's hosts, Boulaye Dia and Famara Diedhiou (pictured #19) scored within four minutes of either side of the interval to put the Teranga Lions in control. Félix Sánchez's Qatar pulled one back - their first World Cup goal ever - through Mohammed Muntari 12 minutes before time, but Bamba Dieng sealed Senegal's first victory of this edition with an 84th-minute strike.

________________________

5:06 pm 

🇪🇨 Ecuador v Senegal 🇸🇳 (6pm)

Ecuador got their 2022 World Cup campaign off to a flying start with a 2-0 opening day win over hosts Qatar. Their all-time topscorer Enner Valencia scored the two goals - a penalty and a header - in the first half at Al Bayt Stadium.

Valencia was back on the score sheet in Ecuador's second game against Louis van Gaal's Netherlands, which saw Gustavo Alfaro's side hold the three-time losing finalists to a 1-1 draw.

________________________

5:00 pm  |  WORLD CUP DAY 10 COVERAGE

🇪🇨 Ecuador v Senegal 🇸🇳 (6pm)

Ecuador have progressed to the knockout stage of the World Cup only once in their history - that was at the Germany edition in 2006. They will do so for a second time if they avoid defeat today.

Senegal go into today's last group round match with the chance to qualify for the playoffs of the World Cup for the first time since 2002, when they were under Bruno Metsu. At that tournament 20 years ago, current head coach Aliou Cisse (pictured #6) played in four of their five matches.

At Russia 2018, Senegal ended up with identical group statistics with Japan, and for the first time in World Cup history, the fair play rule was invoked to break the tie.

Fair play points are based on the yellow and red cards received by a team. In this special case of Group H, Senegal had a total of six yellow cards (-6 points) in three group matches against Japan's four (-4). As such, the Lions of Teranga missed out and the Samurai Blue progressed alongside Poland.

This time, however, Senegal's work is cut out for them: beat Ecuador and progress.