Senegal became the first African team in the FIFA 2022 World Cup to qualify for the knockout stages.
The Teranga Lions defeated Ecuador 2-1 in their final Group A match to seal qualification to the next round.
The match played at the Khalifa International Stadium saw Senegal take the lead in the 44th minute through Ismaila Sarr.
Sarr was brought down by Ecuador defender Piero Hincapie in the box, and he stepped up to score the first goal for Senegal from the spot.
Ecuador returned from the break more determined and they got a deserved goal in the 68th minute.
Kalidou Koulibaly scored from close range after Idrissa Gueye’s free-kick wasn’t cleared in the 70th minute to seal Senegal’s qualification.
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The Netherlands, Senegal’s group opponent made light work of the already eliminated host nation, Qatar.
They clinched the top spot in Group A with a 2-0 win over Qatar.
The match played simultaneously at the Al Khor Stadium, saw Cody Gakpo open the scoring in the 26th minute.
On resumption of the second half, Frenkie de Jong added a second in the 49th minute.
The Netherlands saw VAR chalk of a Steven Berghuis goal in the 68th minute.
Cody Gakpo has now scored three goals for the Netherlands in the 2022 World Cup.
Senegal plays the winner of Group B in the last 16. England currently tops the group and they play Wales later today.
The Netherlands plays either Iran or the USA who could come second in the group.
