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Questions surrounded Senegal heading into the World Cup after star attacker Sadio Mané was ruled out of the tournament, but the Lions of Teranga aren't the champions of Africa because of the efforts of one single individual. Senegal clinched the runner-up spot in Group A and eliminated Ecuador by defeating La Tri 2-1 at Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday.
Senegal now awaits the winner of Group B, where England is currently top but faces a difficult rivalry match against Wales later today. The winner of the United States vs. Iran could also take top spot if the Dragons pull off an upset.
Whoever it is, they'll face a Senegal side that's flying after back-to-back victories following an opening defeat to the Netherlands. A 3-1 victory over Qatar was proof they could score without Mané, and Senegal did incredibly well today to score twice on an Ecuador side that only needed a draw to advance.
Senegal twice went close to scoring the opening goal before Piero Hincapié clattered Ismaïla Sarr in the area just before halftime.
PENTALY FOR SENEGAL
A penalty is awarded after this collision in the box ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/3Kmx3BTzbF— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 29, 2022
Sarr was the man who had to really step up in the attacking third for Senegal this tournament, and his penalty — with the hopes of his nation on his shoulders — was stone cold.
GOAL SENEGAL
Too easy for Ismaïla Sarr pic.twitter.com/MaxVtu8ZtJ— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 29, 2022
Ismaïla Sarr hit the no look penalty for Senegal pic.twitter.com/9lCNUQIH2j
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 29, 2022
But Ecuador thought they'd secured passage in the 67th after a corner kick fell to Moisés Caicedo at the far post for 1-1.
ECUADOR TIES IT
As it stands Ecuador is heading to the knockout stage pic.twitter.com/vzUTCIwblM— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 29, 2022
That elation lasted all of three minutes. You're always most vulnerable after scoring and thinking you're going to the World Cup knockout rounds, and Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly made Ecuador pay in the 70th with his FIRST international goal on his 67th appearance. Incredible.
WOW
SENEGAL TAKES THE LEAD RIGHT BACK pic.twitter.com/1BwC2mYwkR— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 29, 2022
This is Senegal's second appearance in the knockout stage and first since that famous run to the 2002 quarterfinals. They've got excellent support in Qatar, growing belief and a decisive counterattack that could certainly hurt teams that strive for possession, like England and the USA.
For the second time in team history, Senegal is advancing to the knockout stage pic.twitter.com/mIzVExj7cE
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 29, 2022
