The Lions of Teranga have qualified for the round of 16 of the World Cup Qatar 2022 by dominating Ecuador with difficulty, on Tuesday, during the third and last day of group A, at the Khalifa International Stadium.

Twenty years after, the Senegalese team reached the last 16 of a World Cup, thanks to a victory over Ecuador by a goal difference (2-1) for its last game in Group A. Aliou Cissé’s men started the game with a strong pressure and several missed opportunities, notably by Idrissa Gueye (3′), Boulaye Dia (8′). But they ended up concretizing their domination thanks to a penalty caused and transformed by the player of Watford Ismaïla Sar at the end of the first half (44′,0-1).

In front at the break, the Lions of Teranga did not manage to make the break and conceded the equalizer by Moises Caicedo (68′, 1-1). A short-lived joy as Senegalese captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who was at the back post, allowed his teammates to go back in front 2 minutes later following a free kick (70′,1-2). No goal was scored for the rest of the match.

For its third World Cup, Senegal has managed to qualify for the round of 16 for the second time in its history (2002, 2022). Senegal is 2nd in group A with 6 points, behind Holland 7 points. In the eighth round, the teammates of Edouard Osoque Mendy will play against England, who won quietly against Wales (3-0).

Rigaldo Saint-Charles