Senegal sent hosts Qatar out of the FIFA World Cup 2022
They secured a 3-1 win over the minnows making them the first team to crash out of the tournament.
Senegal was Dominant from The Start
Senegal looked purposeful from the get-go as they looked to turn around their fortunes after their opening-day loss to the Netherlands. In the 23rd minute, Gueye received a pass from Mendy and played a quick one-two with Diatta before unleashing a low drive just wide of the target from outside the area.
Senegal finally took the lead in the 40th minute. Diatta released a low long pass into the area, which was unconvincingly cleared by Khoukhi, only till the feet of Dia, who buried a clean left-footed finish in the bottom corner.
2 minutes into the second half, Senegal doubled their lead. Jakobs took a corner from the right, sending in a beautiful curling ball to the near post, which was met by Diedhiou, who got ahead of his defender and planted the header exceptionally past Barsham.
Qatar Get Back Into the Game
In the 60th minute, Hassan fired a rising shot from distance, just a little wide off the far post. Qatar got their best chance of the game in the 62nd minute when Afif made a driving run on the left flank before passing the ball to Almoez inside the box, whose low left-footed shot was saved by an outstretched Mendy.
Qatar came close again a couple of minutes later when Mohammed whipped in a cross too high from the right but which was kept alive on the left flank. Madibo then curled in another ball from left, too which Mohammed got a foot to from close range inside the box only to be denied by Mendy’s reflexive instincts.
In the 77th minute, Mohammed found himself in acres of space on the right with the ball. He ran to the touchline before releasing a teasing cross, which was met emphatically by Muntari, who got between Koulibaly and Pape Matar to nod the ball past Mendy and score Qatar’s first goal of the tournament.
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Senegal Secure the Win
Qatar was just back into the game when Senegal restored their two-goal advantage in the 83rd minute. Ndiaye made a mazy run and with some luck and some skill managed to give the ball to Sabaly. Sabaly then released the ball to Ndiaye again, who had continued making a run in-behind down the right side of the box. From the touchline, Ndiaye’s cut-back found B Dieny, whose first-time right-footed shot got the better of Barsham.
In the 88th minute, Hassan came close to scoring a long-range banger after Hatem rolled a freekick in his path, but that proved to be Qatar’s last meaningful attempt at goal in the game and the tournament. Qatar faces the Netherlands in their last group game whereas Senegal faces Ecuador which could decide their fate in the remainder of the tournament.
