Koulibaly nets winner to send Senegal into last 16

Senegal faced Ecuador in a straight shootout in Group A at the World Cup and it was the African side who progressed. Senegal came out attacking from the off and took the lead just before half-time with a Sarr penalty. Ecuador looked for an equaliser after the break and Caicedo got it in the 68th minute. However, their joy was short lived as Koulibaly put Senegal ahead once again just two minutes later. Ecuador were unable to get another leveller and Senegal will now face the winner of Group B on Sunday at 20:00 CET.

The Netherlands' dominant victory over Qatar meant only a win would see Senegal through to the knockouts from Group A, while Ecuador would have progressed with a draw. Senegal manager Aliou Cisse promised before the game his experienced side "would not overthink" the occasion and it was the Africans who opened the game furiously, with Everton's Idrissa Gana Gueye lashing the ball just wide of an open goal after only three minutes.

Less than a minute later, Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez needed to bail out his side's high backline, sliding in to stifle a counter well outside his box. On the 10 minute mark, Senegal's Boulaye Dia found himself one-on-one with Galindez, but he cut the ball just wide of the post. Seemingly sparked into life by Senegal's fierce opening, Ecuador pushed forward and won a free-kick 30 metres from goal, with the South Americans taking the opportunity for a rare breather before Valencia slammed the ball into the wall. 

 

November 29, 2022

After the furious opening exchanges, both sides began to settle and the first half looked set to end goalless before Ecuador defender Piero Hincapie clattered into Sarr, giving referee Clement Turpin no choice but to point to the spot. Sarr stepped up and coolly dispatched a fine spot-kick past Galindez, maintaining eye contact with the keeper as the ball went in.

Ecuador started the second half fresher and more determined, perhaps reassured that the Netherlands' dominance over Qatar meant they only needed a draw to go through. From a free-kick, defender Felix Torres rose high to head the ball on to Caicedo, who was waiting at the far post and slammed the ball home.

Senegal struck back immediately and in almost identical fashion, with Koulibaly lurking unmarked at the far post following a free-kick which was deflected into his path by Hincapie. Coming into the match on a yellow card, Gueye picked up a second-half booking and will miss Senegal's last-16 game against the winners of Group B.