The Netherlands and Senegal have become the last two countries to reach the knockout rounds of the 2022 World Cup.
The two nations, both tied in Group A, along with hosts Qatar and Ecuador, advanced to the round of 16 of the prestigious tournament.
After beating Senegal 2-0, drawing 1-1 against Ecuador and claiming another 2-0 victory over Qatar earlier today, Louis Van Gaal’s Netherlands topped the group with seven points.
However, Senegal’s route to the knockout phase of the competition was a little less straightforward. The Africans, after suffering an opening defeat against the Netherlands, looked set to fall.
Turning their form around, however, the Africans, who are without Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane, won the remaining two group games against Qatar and Ecuador respectively.
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Arguably, Tuesday afternoon’s game between Senegal and Ecuador was the pick of the group. After successfully converting a shot from the penalty spot in the first half of the match, Watford’s Ismaila Sarr put his country in the lead, but Brighton and Hove Albion’s Moises Caciedo managed to recover one just before the 70th minute.
With Ecuador needing just one point to take second place, all the pressure was once again on Senegal. However, Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly responded in emphatic fashion, coming on with what turned out to be a tournament-saving goal just two minutes later.
The former Napoli centre-back’s goal was enough to keep his country in contention and he will now set up a delicious tie against the winner of Group B England, which also contains Wales, Iran and the USA.
