Kalidou Koulibaly Scores Debut Goal To Fire Senegal Into World Cup Last 16

29th November 2022

The Lions of Teranga kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Netherlands before they bounced back with an emphatic 3-1 win against the hosts Qatar

Kalidou Koulibaly celebrates after scoring the winning goal to send Senegal into World Cup Last 16. PHOTO | Twitter
Kalidou Koulibaly celebrates after scoring the winning goal to send Senegal into World Cup Last 16. PHOTO | Twitter
SUMMARY
  • Senegal became the first African team to qualify for the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup after a stunning 2-1 victory against Ecuador on Tuesday
  • The victory saw them finish second in Group A with 6 points, one behind leaders Netherlands who were 2-0 winners against Qatar in their final group game
  • Their joy was however short-lived as Koulibaly scored three minutes later with a right footed effort following a corner to restore Senegal's lead, one they held on to until the final whistle

Senegal became the first African team to qualify for the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup after a stunning 2-1 victory against Ecuador on Tuesday.

Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly scored a 70th minute winner to cause the Khalifa International Stadium to erupt in jubilation.

The victory saw them finish second in Group A with 6 points, one behind leaders Netherlands who were 2-0 winners against Qatar in their final group game.

The Lions of Teranga kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Netherlands before they bounced back with an emphatic 3-1 win against the hosts Qatar.

Senegal were the better side for most of the encounter and went ahead in the 44th minute thanks to an Ismaila Sarr penalty to give the entire African continent hope.

The second half began a little more edgy than the first ended and in the 67th minute, Moses Caicedo scored his third ever goal at the World Cup to draw the South Americans level.

Their joy was however short-lived as Koulibaly scored three minutes later with a right footed effort following a corner to restore Senegal's lead, one they held on to until the final whistle.

Aliou Cisse's side are potential last-16 opponents for England given the Lions of Teranga will next face the winners of Group B - a berth Gareth Southgate's team could seal later on Tuesday.

Victory secured a first last-16 appearance since 2002, when they shocked France in the opening game on their way to the quarter-finals.

Senegal paid tribute to former Portsmouth midfielder Papa Bouba Diop - scorer of the famous winner against the French - who died, two years ago to the day, in 2020 aged 42.

In the other Group A game, already qualified Netherlands handed Qatar their third straight defeat of the tournament with a 2-0 victory to seal top spot.

In-form Cody Gakpo scored again as the Netherlands finished top, ending Qatar's miserable involvement at their home World Cup as they became the first host nation to exit the tournament with three group-stage losses, finishing bottom with no points.

The Dutch, who failed to qualify four years ago, progress to the last 16 with an unbeaten record and face the team that finishes second in Group B.

PSV Eindhoven winger Gakpo has now scored the opening goal in all three of the Netherlands' group games.