Senegal beat Qatar 3-1 to boost their chances of getting out of Group A as the hosts crashed out of their first-ever World Cup.
It is only the second time in history that a host nation has failed to get out of the group stage.
Boulaye Dia made the most of a defensive mistake to give Senegal the lead just before half time, then Famara Diedhiou headed home a second just after half time.
Qatar did improve in the second half as Mohammed Muntari scored Qatar’s first-ever World Cup goal but Ahmadou Bamba Dieng struck late on to put some gloss on the scoreline for Senegal.
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With the win Senegal set up a tasty final Group A game with Ecuador as they have a chance of reaching the last 16, while Qatar have been eliminated.
Too little too late for the hosts but Senegal underwhelm
Hosts Qatar have basically gone out of the tournament without ever really showing up. They went for it in the second half and scored an historic goal and had big chances but Edouard Mendy denied them. Why didn’t they do that more often over the last two games? Qatar’s players have frozen and they seemed to not understand what was being asked of them, which is a big surprise given how long this manager has been with the team and how long they have all been playing together.
Senegal weren’t great though, and of course they aren’t expected to be at their best without their talisman Sadio Mane. Heading into their final group stage game against Ecuador, which is likely to decide which team will go through along with the Netherlands, Senegal boss Aliou Cisse will want so much more from his team. They have been sloppy in possession and although they scored three goals against Qatar, one was from a mistake and another from a set piece. The African champions have to improve if they’re going to get out of the group and do anything beyond that.
Stars of the show
Boulaye Dia: Took his goal really well and a constant threat in attack.
Idrissa Gana Gueye: He kept things ticking over in midfield and won the ball back often. His experience was key.
How to watch Qatar vs Senegal live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 8am ET, Friday Nov. 25
Stadium: Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor
TV channels en Español: Telemundo
Streaming en Español: Peacock (all 64 matches)
Famara Diedhiou heads it in off the corner kick to give #SEN a 2-0 lead over Qatar!
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 25, 2022
(via @TelemundoSports)pic.twitter.com/QaTSiGw7s3
Boulaye Dia capitalizes on the loose ball to give #SEN the lead and its first goal of the 2022 #FIFAWorldCup! 👏
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 25, 2022
(via @TelemundoSports)pic.twitter.com/uOtScUqJvj
Key storylines, players to watch closely
Gold Cup leading scorer Almoez Ali came close to scoring for Qatar against Ecuador, so the tournament hosts will know that they can produce chances. Could a quick finish remind Qatar of better days, as they had won four-straight friendlies since October in dispatching Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and Albania?
Here’s our starting lineup for today’s #FIFAWorldCup group stage second round game against Senegal#AllForAlAnnabi 💪 #Qatar2022 #AlAnnabi pic.twitter.com/J4NAv6JkOL
— Qatar Football Association (@QFA_EN) November 25, 2022
Senegal put a lot on the plate of Ismaila Sarr and the rapid winger did not disappoint, joining Boulaye Dia as productive but ultimately finish-free forwards versus the Netherlands. Cheikhou Kouyate is out injured, while four Premier League stars start for Senegal in Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Nampalys Mendy and Idrissa Gana Gueye.
📋✅ Le onze de départ des lions du Sénégal contre le Qatar #QATSEN #FIFAWorldCup | #MankoWutiNdamli pic.twitter.com/WurU2d3ERE
— FSF (@Fsfofficielle) November 25, 2022
Qatar quick facts
Current FIFA world ranking: 49
World Cup titles: 0
World Cup appearances: 0
How they qualified: As hosts
Coach: Felix Sanchez
Key players: Abdelkarim Hassan, Almoez Ali, Hassan Al-Haydos
Senegal quick facts
Current FIFA world ranking: 18
World Cup titles: 0
World Cup appearances: 2
How they qualified: Beat Egypt in CAF playoff
Coach: Aliou Cisse
Key players: Sadio Mane, Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly
