Senegal did it, 20 years later! Forced to win against Ecuador to snatch second place in Group A and thus reach the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup, the Lions of Teranga dominated the Tri (2-1) this Tuesday, at the end of a generally controlled meeting at the Khalifa International stadium. Aliou Cissé, who lined up an offensive quartet Ndiaye-Gueye-Sarr-Dia, has reason to be satisfied after the convincing performance of his men. The first period was also clearly to the advantage of the Teranga Lions, more incisive and aggressive, who started very strong.
While they were in an ideal position, Gueye (3rd) then Dia (8th) missed the Ecuadorian frame. The Tri de Valencia, finally holder despite his knee problem, did not manage to be dangerous and worry Mendy. The light finally came from a former Ligue 1 player, in the person of Ismaïla Sarr. The Watford striker, already very close to the opener (24th), took responsibility by opening the scoring with a penalty that he himself went to get by pushing Hincapié to make a mistake (0-1, 44th).
Koulibaly extinguished Ecuadorian hopes
Summoned to react to the insipid performance of his players, Gustavo Alfaro, the Ecuador coach, injected new blood at the break by replacing Gruezo and Franco with Cifuentes and Sarmiento. Changes that had the merit of changing the face of his team, better able to hold the ball against more defensive Senegalese. Without an impeccable intervention from Ciss in front of Plata (53rd), the Tri could have come back to score earlier. We had to wait for Caicedo’s point-blank achievement, after a deflection at the near post on a corner, to see Ecuador equalize (1-1, 68th).
A goal allowing the Tri to be virtually qualified for the round of 16… But the joy was short-lived! After a ball badly returned by Valencia on an eccentric free kick kicked by Gueye, Koulibaly crucified Galindez with a nice attacking gesture (1-2, 70th), for his first goal in selection. Apart from an attempt by Plata captured by Mendy (76th), Ecuador will have carried too little danger in Mendy’s area to hope to keep second place in group A. With a little more precision, Dia could even have increased the score (82nd). Senegal, which will be deprived of Gueye, warned in the 66th minute, in the eighth, therefore finishes 2nd in group A behind the Netherlands.
