Kalidou Coulibaly proved an unexpected match-winner as Senegal reached the last 16 of the World Cup with a 2-1 win over Ecuador, who have been knocked out of the tournament.
Senegal will now play the winners of Group B – the group that England currently top – on Sunday night.
The Chelsea defender’s superb volleyed winner came just two minutes after Moises Caicedo had pulled Ecuador level from a corner, a result that would have taken the South Americans into their stride.
The African side was fully qualified to qualify from their World Cup group for the first time in 20 years, thanks largely in part to a first-half performance where they blew out Ecuador, who came into the match knowing they needed to progress. Only one point is required.
It took until the last minute of the opening period for Senegal’s dominance to count, when Ismaila Sarr was fouled in the area before confidently beating Hernan Galindez from 12 yards.
Although Caicedo gave Ecuador some hope midway through the second period, it was a brief respite with Senegal still the more dangerous side after Koulibaly’s goal, and Edouard Mendy’s goal was relatively unaffected as they jumped into second place and set up a last-16 tie. Group B Winner
How Senegal broke Ecuador’s heart in Qatar
player ratings
Ecuador: Galindez (6), Torres (5), Hincapie (5), Estupinan (6), Preciado (6), Gruzo (5), Plata (6), Casado (6), Franco (5), Estrada (5), Valencia (5).
sub: Riasco (6), Porjo (6).
Senegal: E Mendy (6), Sabli (7), Coulibaly (9), Diallo (7), Jacobs (7), Sis (7), I Guye (7), P Guye (7), Nadiye (8), I Sarr (8), Diya (6).
sub: N Mendy (6), Bamba (6), Cisse (N/A).
Player of the Match: Kalidou Coulibaly. CONTINUE READING…
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