Qatar 2022 World Cup: Senegal were strong and left the host with one foot outside the Cup

The Qatari dream surprise in the first World Cup in its history and at home it didn’t last long, Very little. Much less than what the Spanish coach Félix Sánchez Bas also imagined for all the good that his coaches had shown since his arrival, also becoming Asian champions in 2019 with the same player base.

His executioner this Friday was Senegal, the African champion who needed to win after the opening defeat against the Netherlands and, despite not having his top scorer Sadio Mané, he did it with a 3-1 that fuels the desire to move on to the round of 16 World Cup Final.

The Qatar’s elimination will end this Friday if the Netherlands win or draw. In any case, if he too arrives at the last round with the Dutch team with mathematical possibilities, only a footballing miracle will allow him to advance.

The other face of the local frustration is Senegal, which did not shine, which at times suffered the game (more due to its defects than to Qatar’s virtues), but obtained the three points which allow it to be enthusiastic for a last round match in what will be measured against Ecuador.

Boulaye Dia and Famara Diedhiou scored the first goals for the African team. Mohammed Muntari discounted for the locals in the final stretch of the game but the local illusion did not last long as Cheikh Dieng sealed the victory.

Was Senegal, which emerged determined to impose conditions from ball possession. His midfielders and forwards pressed Qatar’s departure trying to force the mistake but he lacked lucidity in the final meters.

An 8th-minute Ismalia Saar shot that went wide after intercepting a rebound on goal in the area, a defective header from Diedhiou and a shot also wide from Sabaly were the first approaches for the Senegalese. However, the lead, already deserved, reached 40 in the first stage.

It was a blunder from the backline by Qatar that allowed Dia to put ahead a Senegal, who were already trying to break the tie.

Little Qatar. Very little for a team looking to carry on with aspirations of advancing in its World Cup. Maybe Afif’s individual outbursts or Hassan’s push.

If the half-time goal and Qatar’s shortcomings weren’t enough to extinguish local illusion, Senegal’s second goal was a major blow. They were playing just two minutes into the second half when Diedhiou, with a precise header from a corner kick, extended the lead.

Senegal seemed to be relaxing and a lot had to do with Qatar’s impotence. However, there was nothing to suggest that the locals might even care about Senegal. But when 33 minutes of the second half were played, he got more than a discount.

Muntari, who came on in the second half, scored the first goal in Qatar’s World Cup history with a sensational header that left Chelsea’s English goalkeeper Mendy without a chance. The illusion that the discount aroused lasted just five minutes: in the 38th minute Dieng received in the area from the right and buried him with a cross-shot.

Senegal won, dreams of qualifying for the round of 16 and there was a party on the streets of Dakar.

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