Tuesday's match saw Senegal overcome Ecuador 2-1 to move to stage 16. of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. With goals from Ismaila Sarr and Kalidou Koulibaly in each half, the Teranga Lions, the AFCON 2021 champions, became the first country from Africa to advance past the group stage at the tournament—the World Cup.
Senegal becomes the first African country to do it since 2014 and the first to advance past the round of 16.
Senegal took the lead after Ismaila Sarr converted a penalty kick in the 44th minute, but Ecuador tied the score in the 67th. Three minutes later, Kalidou Koulibaly's header restored Senegal's lead, which it maintained until the final siren, the first African country to do it since 2014 and the first to advance past the round of 16.
Senegal took the lead after Ismaila Sarr converted a penalty kick in the 44th minute, but Ecuador tied the score in the 67th. Three minutes later, Kalidou Koulibaly's header restored Senegal's lead, which it could maintain until the final siren.
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Even in the absentia of Bayern Munich star Sadio Mane due to an injury, Senegal didn't hesitate. It made Mane and the whole of Africa proud as they overcame all odds to qualify for the round of 16.
At the current competition in Qatar, African champion Senegal placed second in Group A behind the Netherlands with two wins and a loss.
Senegal has written a history of qualifying for the second time, the round of 16 ever in their world cup history after they did that for the first time in 2002.
Aliou Cisse, the current Senegal head coach, was the captain in 2002 when Senegal first reached the world cup's round of 16. Twenty years down the line, Cisse leads Senegal again into the contest. Senegal was ousted from the World Cup in Russia four years prior in a tragic way after finishing second to Japan in the group stage on points, goal differential, goals scored, and head-to-head record. Senegal was the first team to be eliminated based on a disciplinary record.
Senegal played in its first World Cup tournament in 2002, shocking France's reigning champion 1-0 in the opening round. In the end, it was defeated 0-1 by Turkey in the edition's quarterfinals, which South Korea and Japan hosted. It's interesting to note that 2002's team captain, Aliou Cisse, is currently the head coach of the national team.
The African nation, nicknamed 'Lions of Teranga,' had to wait for 16 years before it finally managed to qualify for its second World Cup in 2018.
Ecuador knew it was easy for them since they only needed a point to go through to the round of 16, but the loss to Senegal ended their journey in the Mundial.
In the other match in group A, the Netherlands secured a spot in the round of 16 after beating the hosts 2:0.
Senegal will face The three lions of England on Sunday 4th, in the round of 16 m
