Host nation Qatar had been pushed to the brink of an early elimination from their very own World Cup on Friday after a 3-1 defeat to Senegal.
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Goals both aspect of half-time from Boulaye Dia and Famara Diedhiou gave Senegal the lead earlier than Qatar substitute Mohammed Muntari replied within the 78th minute to arrange a dramatic finale.
Senegal substitute Bamba Dieng scored six minutes later to put the consequence past doubt and carry the African champions, who opened with a 2-0 loss to the Netherlands, proper again into rivalry in Group A.
The defeat left backside aspect Qatar sweating on outcomes elsewhere if they’re to keep away from following South Africa in 2010 as solely the second World Cup hosts to bow out after the primary spherical.
Their elimination can be confirmed if Ecuador fail to beat the Netherlands later within the day, and would make Qatar the primary World Cup hosts to exit after two video games.
Qatar had made a nervy begin to the event in a 2-0 defeat to Ecuador and so they once more appeared tentative towards Senegal.
The Asian champions dropped their goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb to the bench after his shaky efficiency within the opener.
His substitute Meshaal Barsham didn’t encourage a lot confidence within the early levels, flapping at a nook as Senegal pushed for the opening objective.
Ismaila Sarr and Nampalys Mendy had already missed scoring possibilities for Senegal by then, and Idrissa Gana Gueye and Youssouf Sabaly squandered extra as the primary half wore on.
– Qatar nearly out –
Qatar spent most of the opening 45 minutes on the again foot however a uncommon break ahead noticed Akram Afif incensed not to be awarded a penalty after he was bundled over by Sarr.
Senegal appeared like they might head into half-time with out managing to break down Qatar’s resistance, just for the hosts to present them a objective within the forty first minute.
Qatari defender Boualem Koukhi fluffed a clearance to leave Dia to pounce on the free ball and fireplace it previous Barsham.
Senegal doubled their lead nearly instantly after the break when Diedhiou glanced dwelling a header on the close to publish from a nook.
Qatar started to present rather more attacking ambition from two targets down and Afif was concerned in all the things.
Almoez Ali pressured a fingertip save out of Senegal goalkeeper Eduoard Mendy earlier than the Chelsea man once more rescued the Africans from Isamil Mohamad’s effort.
Mendy was rooted to his line when Muntari pulled one again for Qatar, powerfully heading dwelling Mohamad’s cross to haul the hosts again into it.
The objective lifted the group and despatched Qatar surging ahead in search of one other, however Dieng nipped the revival within the bud within the 84th minute when he swept the ball dwelling for Senegal’s third.
Abdelkarim Hassan then lashed a free-kick simply extensive of the publish as Qatar tried to hit again however Senegal held agency to see out the win.
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