World Cup 2022: Senegal climbs to eighth for the second time in its history

Europe 1 with AFP 6:20 p.m., November 29, 2022, modified at 6:22 p.m., November 29, 2022

Senegal did it!

The Teranga Lions have qualified for the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar after their victory against Ecuador (2-1).

As a tribute, this 2nd ticket in the history of Senegal in a knockout match, is confirmed two years to the day after the death of Pape Bouba Diop, hero of the 2002 World Cup that the Lions had completed in the quarter-finals .

Beaten at the opening by the Netherlands, their distant heirs are not there yet but with six points in pool, they improve their best passing time by one unit.

Even deprived of Sadio Mané, their best injured player in Qatar.

A relief that they owe in large part to their captain Koulibaly, author of his first international goal to put Senegal in front while Ecuador had just equalized by Caicedo.

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Ecuadorian regrets

Previously, Sarr had allowed an African champion still imprecise offensively to open the scoring by causing and then converting a penalty (44).

The only downside to this festive outcome, the Lions will have to do without Gueye, still warned and suspended for the next match.

On the contrary, this end in water sausage can give regrets to Ecuadorians less players.

Nervous but obviously recovered after injuring his knee against the Netherlands, their star striker Valencia was never able to put himself in a position to score his 4th goal in this World Cup.

While he could become the first player in the history of the World Cup to score seven goals in a row for his selection, he therefore sees his series end there.

Just like the adventure of this too managerial Ecuador on Tuesday, which ends the competition with four points.

Conversely, Senegal, one step behind the Netherlands, continues on its way, even showing the way to other African countries present in Qatar.

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The Netherlands, the other qualified group

For their part, the Dutch also qualified for the eighth by finishing first in this group A after their victory against Qatar (2-0).

Put into orbit in the first period by the now inevitable Cody Gakpo, will face the second in group B on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and will be accompanied in the next round by Senegal, winner of Ecuador (2-1) on Tuesday.

For the "Al-Anabi" (the "Bordeaux"), it's a complete failure.

Before the small Gulf emirate, only one host had been eliminated at the end of the group stage: South Africa in 2010, after however a more honorable course.

Qatar is the first host country to lose its three group matches.