Qatar World Cup Update: Senegal Through To Round Of 16

By IVAN CALVIN SHARPE. @calvinivanshar2

Senegal are through to the knockout stages for the first time since 2002 following a 2 – 1 win over Ecuador. Sarr won a penalty just before the break when Hincapie crashed into him, and he coolly stepped up to slot it home with a penalty to give Senegal. Ecuador pushed after the break and equalized from a corner when Moisés Caicedo tapped in from close range, but just two minutes later, Senegal took the lead again as Idrissa Gueye’s free-kick deflected to Koulibaly and the captain volleyed in the winner to send his side through to the round of 16 stage. Senegal have become the first country from the African continent to make it to the Round Of 16 stage in this year’s FIFA World Cup.

Netherlands beat Qatar 2 – 0 in the other group game; this means Senegal finish second in Group A. The African champions will face the winner of Group B in the round of 16 on Sunday and the African contingent will find out their opponents later on tonight. The South American side, Ecuador, couldn’t find the equalizer that they needed and are out of the World Cup.

The African Champions will go into the Round of 16 without their Talisman, Sadio Mané, who was ruled out two days before the start of the tournament through the injury.