Qatar became the first team to be eliminated from the tournament as Senegal produced one of the most comprehensive World Cup results of the midweek action. With one game remaining, Qatar, which is currently last in Group A, became the first team eliminated from the competition after the Netherlands avoided defeat against Ecuador later on Friday. Senegal took charge after scoring two goals each side of halftime, Boulaye Dia (41) and Famara Diedhiou (48), as they attempted to avenge their opening-night loss to the Netherlands. The hosts’ incredible comeback was cut short after just six minutes when Ahmadou Dieng restored Senegal’s two-goal advantage with a goal in the 78th minute from Mohammed Muntari, who scored Qatar’s first-ever goal at a World Cup championships (84).
When Akram Afif was brought down by Ismaila Sarr in the area, the hosts thought they should have been given a penalty, but referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz disregarded their protests. Senegal seized the lead just four minutes before halftime when Dia capitalized on a defensive blunder by Boualem Khoukhi to blast home the opening goal at the near post. Within three minutes of the restart, Senegal extended their advantage when Diedhiou skillfully flicked Qatar’s shot into the net from a corner.
In just five minutes, Edouard Mendy made two outstanding stops to deny Almoez Ali and Ismail Mohamad, giving the hosts their first two shots on goal at the 2018 World Cup. When Muntari rose high and expertly headed in his country’s first World Cup finals goal 12 minutes from time, the Qatari pressure finally paid off. However, the celebrations were fleeting as Dieng restored Senegal’s two-goal margin from 12 yards away, leaving the hosts facing an early exit.
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