FIFA World Cup 2022: Senegal fights its way into the round of 16

Senegal beat Ecuador in the round of 16 final to advance to the knockout stages – becoming the first African team since 2014.

Senegal is in the round of 16 at the World Cup in Qatar. The Africans defeated the previous leaders Ecuador 2-1 (1-0) on Tuesday (November 29th, 2022) and thus secured second place in Group A behind the Netherlands. Ismaila Sarr gave Senegal the lead with a penalty (44th minute). The equalizer provided by Moises Caicedo (68′) was countered by Kalidou Koulibaly (70′). Now the winner of group B is waiting.

Senegal ends World Cup curse

Senegal is the first African country since Algeria and Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup to be in a World Cup round of 16. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, all Africans were eliminated in the group stage.

Valencia in the starting XI

Before the game, a lot had turned around the knee of striker Enner Valencia in Ecuador. The state of health of the 33-year-old, who had scored three goals in the first two games but always had to be substituted off, has occupied the entire South American country in recent days. Around 90 minutes before kick-off, however, the all-clear was given: the nation’s knee held, Valencia was in the starting XI.

Hincapie owes a penalty

The stage at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al-Rayyan first belonged to Senegal. The Teranga Lions, who needed a win to secure a place in the Round of 16, took control of the game from the start and pressed for the opening goal. Idrissa Gueye (3′), Boulaye Dia (8′) and Ismaila Sarr (24′) initially missed very good chances, but shortly before half-time a penalty provided the reward.

Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapié knocked Sarr off his feet in the penalty area, and the fouled man turned himself in and converted. Senegal was clearly the better team, so the lead at half-time was well deserved. But it was also clear: the Ecuadorians, who had been disappointing up to that point, were just one goal away from overtaking Senegal again in the table.

Koulibaly counters Caicedo

And that’s exactly what the South Americans pushed for in the second half. Coach Gustavo Alfaro changed twice and prescribed a much more offensive approach, the picture on the pitch turned completely. The Senegalese walled up, Ecuador attacked. The crucial difference to the first half, however: unlike Senegal, Ecuador initially didn’t have a good chance to score.

Thanks to a standard situation, however, Ecuador was able to celebrate: After a corner, Felix Torres extended the ball to Caicedo, who shoved in to equalize and thus at least temporarily put the South Americans back in the round of 16. The celebrations did not last long, however, as Senegal’s captain Koulibaly turned the game around almost immediately after a free-kick. At that point, Senegal was in the round of 16 and defended their lead with passion and success in the minutes that followed.

The round of 16 opponents will be decided on Tuesday evening. With England, Iran, USA and Wales, all four teams still have a chance of winning the group.

Source: sportschau.de