Senegal snatched Ecuador’s place within the final 16 of the World Cup with a 2-1 win on the ultimate matchday of Group A.
La Tri solely wanted one level to safe their passage to the knockout phases, whereas Lions of Teranga wanted all three and confirmed the larger endeavour on the Khalifa Worldwide Stadium, deservedly organising a conflict with the winners of Group B.
Idrissa Gueye squandered a fantastic likelihood to take a third-minute lead when an Ismail Jakobs cutback evaded a number of yellow shirts and fell kindly to the Everton man, however he may solely discover the facet netting from simply outdoors the six yard field.
Ecuador’s harmful defending gifted Boulaye Dia one other enormous opening quickly after, beating the offside entice to satisfy a intelligent by way of ball from Youssouf Sabaly, however he dragged his shot agonisingly broad.
Ismaila Sarr was subsequent to go shut for the Lions of Teranga, sitting right-back Angelo Preciado on his bottom and slicing onto his proper foot, along with his curling effort deflected simply over the bar.
With half-time looming, Senegal had been awarded a penalty when Sarr was bundled over by a reckless Piero Hincapie, with referee Clement Turpin instantly pointing to the spot. The Watford winger stepped up and picked out the underside nook.
Ecuador boss Gustavo Alfaro made two modifications at half-time to try to galvanise his facet, however La Tri nonetheless seemed flat and lacked the urgency they wanted.
Towards the run of play, Ecuador discovered their much-needed equaliser from a nook, with Moises Caicedo tapping in on the again put up, peeling away from Ismail Jakobs for the simplest of finishes.
However nearly instantly, Senegal re-took the lead down the opposite finish. Idrissa Gueye’s free-kick bounced off Pervis Estupinan and fell kindly for Kalidou Koulibaly to fireplace in from shut vary.
A half-volley from Gonzalo Plata went straight down Edouard Mendy’s throat as Ecuador went seeking a second equaliser, whereas Boulaye Dia lashed one broad on the break on the different finish.
Senegal rode out six minutes of stoppage time to advance to the knockout phases for the primary time since 2002.
GK: Hernan Galindez – 5/10 – Bamboozled for the penalty and could not do so much about Koulibaly’s strike.
RB: Angelo Preciado – 4/10 – A relentless legal responsibility down Ecuador’s proper.
CB: Felix Torres – 6/10 – Obtained a significant help for Caicedo along with his flick-on from the nook.
CB: Piero Hincapie – 3/10 – Such a unnecessary foul to make for the penalty. Let his nation down.
LB: Pervis Estupinan – 5/10 – Nowhere close to as menacing as he was earlier within the group stage and Ecuador missed that.
CM: Carlos Gruezo – 4/10 – Contributed little or no and was hooked at half-time.
CM: Alan Franco – 4/10 – Ditto. Ecuador did not want passengers, not to mention two in midfield.
CM: Moises Caicedo – 7/10 – The one midfielder up for the battle, scoring a wanted equaliser.
RW: Gonzalo Plata – 4/10 – Did not actually present his promise till it was too late.
CF: Michael Estrada – 4/10 – Loved some wins in early duels however pale in a short time.
LW: Enner Valencia – 4/10 – Equally began brightly however could not preserve that tempo.
SUB: Jeremy Sarmiento (46′ for Franco) – 6/10
SUB: Jose Cifuentes (46′ for Gruezo) – 5/10
SUB: Djorkaeff Reasco (64′ for Estrada) – 5/10
SUB: Jackson Porozo (85′ for Preciado) – N/A
Supervisor: Gustavo Alfaro – 3/10 – Ecuador had been flat from the off and didn’t should advance based mostly on Monday’s exhibiting.
GK: Edouard Mendy – 6/10 – Did not have so much to do regardless of Ecuador’s want to attain.
RB: Youssouf Sabaly – 7/10 – Impressively bought up and down the flank to Senegal’s support.
CB: Kalidou Koulibaly – 9/10 – A captain’s efficiency at each ends, dragging his nation to victory.
CB: Abdou Diallo – 7/10 – Partnered Koulibaly nicely on the coronary heart of the Senegal defence.
LB: Ismail Jakobs – 5/10 – Dragged again inside for Ecuador’s equaliser. Was in any other case tremendous.
CM: Pathe Ciss – 6/10 – Did not need to do so much to win the midfield battle.
CM: Pape Gueye – 6/10 – Likewise accomplished the fundamentals and that appeared to be sufficient.
RM: Iliman Ndiaye – 7/10 – Did not give Estupinan a lot relaxation, always asking questions of the Brighton left-back.
AM: Idrissa Gueye – 6/10 – Pressed nicely within the gap regardless of naturally being a defensive midfielder. Suspended for the final 16.
LM: Ismaila Sarr – 8/10 – Like Ndiaye confirmed there’s loads of high quality within the Championship, twisting and turning previous Preciado.
CF: Boulaye Dia – 5/10 – Discovered it exhausting to get within the sport. Most of Senegal’s assaults got here from broad areas.
SUB: Nampalys Mendy (74′ for Ciss) – 6/10
SUB: Bamba Dieng (74′ for Ndiaye) – 5/10
SUB: Pape Abou Cisse (90′ for Dia) – N/A
Supervisor: Aliou Cisse – 8/10 – Senegal performed with aggression and depth from the off. They’re nice worth for his or her place within the subsequent spherical.
