Ecuador just needed a draw to go through, but Kalidou Koulibaly’s goal means Aliou Cisse’s side advance instead while Netherlands beat Qatar by two goals.
World Cup 2022 highlights as group A concluded with Netherlands and Senegal entered next round as first and second place, respectively.
Summary
- Netherlands beat Qatar 2-0
- Senegal beat Ecuador 2-1
- Group A concluded as Qatar exited with forgettable records
- Netherlands and Senegal awaiting for their opponents
Qatar 0-2 Netherlands
Cody Gakpo scored in a third consecutive World Cup match as the Netherlands eased into the knockout stage by beating Qatar 2-0 to top Group A.
The Eredivisie club PSV’s winger was the breakout so far at the current World Cup and now became the joint top goalscorer at the World Cup alongside Kylian Mbappe and Ener Valencia (3 goals).
With Depay upfront, Netherlands looked to have creativity although he failed to get a shot away in an early scramble in the box.
It was Gakpo who instead delivered, laying the ball off to Davy Klaassen and taking the return to fire a firm finish into the bottom-right corner.
The 23-year-old now is just the second player from the Netherlands to score with his left foot, his right foot and his head in a single edition of the World Cup, after Wesley Sneijder in 2010.
Vulnerable Qatar both in defending and attacking then allowed Louis van Gaal’s men to double their lead four minutes into the second half as Barsham blocked from Depay but De Jong was able to beat two men to the rebound in front of the goal line.
The defeat closed the curtain for host Qatar with forgettable records. They conceded 7 goals in group stage games only, losing all three, a new records for host at a World Cup finals.
Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
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Senegal progressed to the World Cup knockout stage after Kalidou Koulibaly’s strike sealed a 2-1 win.
Senegal were brightest from the outset with African side played for a win to be 100% sure they would progress.
And Aliou Cisse’s side’s dominance was rewarded a minute before the interval when Sarr slotted home from the spot after he had been brought down in the area by Piero Hincapie.
Ecuador were much improved after the break and they drew level in the 67th minute when Caicedo tapped home at the back post after Felix Torres had flicked a corner on.
Their joy was short-lived, however, as Koulibaly scored his very first goal at the World Cup with a side-footed volley from six yards after a free-kick, all in only 3 minutes later.
The goal was as valuable as gold as he booked Senegal’s last-16 spot.
What’s next for Netherlands and Senegal
The Netherlands will learn the identity of their last-16 opponents later on Tuesday, same goes for Senegal.
Summary highlights for Group A will give you a better chance on how to place a winnings soccer bet.
[…] end of the 2022 FIFA World Cup group stage begins with Groups A and B concluding with matchday […]