Captain fantastic! Kalidou Koulibaly goal sends Senegal past Ecuador and into last 16 of World Cup

Kalidou Koulibaly was the hero for Senegal by scoring the winner to secure a 2-1 victory over Ecuador and second place in Group A.

 

Senegal beat Ecuador 2-1Sarr and Caicedo on targetKoulibaly hits winner

TELL ME MORE: Senegal pipped Ecuador to second spot in Group A and clinched a place in the last 16 of World Cup 2022 along with group winners Netherlands. The Lions of Teranga went into the match a point behind Ecuador but took the game to El Tri and opened the scoring in the first half from the penalty spot. Ismaila Sarr won the penalty and then despatched a no-look spot-kick to put his team 1-0 up. Moises Caicedo levelled for Ecuador on 67 minutes but Senegal hit straight back and restored their lead three minutes later through Koulibaly.

THE MVP: Senegal captain Koulibaly stepped up when his team really needed him and delivered the win with a superb finish. The Lions of Teranga had been guilty of sitting back after taking their lead and it was no surprise to see Ecuador level. However, Senegal’s response was quick and impressive. A free-kick was fired into the box and came to Koulibaly who produced a striker’s finish to volley the ball home. It was his first ever goal for his country and could not have come at a better time.

THE BIG LOSER: Ecuador defender Piero Hincapie was at fault for both of Senegal’s goals in a game he really won’t remember fondly. It’s difficult to know what he was thinking in the first half when he barged into Sarr and gave the referee little option but to point to the penalty spot. Hincapie was all at sea when Koulibaly scored too. The defender seemed to get in Enner Valencia’s way when Idrissa Gueye’s free-kick was played into the box which prevented Ecuador from clearing. Instead the ball went to Koulibaly and the rest is history.

MATCH IN THREE PHOTOS:

AS IT STANDS:

TeamPWDLGDPTSNetherlands321047Senegal320116Ecuador311114Qatar3003-60

WHAT NEXT? The results mean that the Netherlands go through to the last 16 of the World Cup as group winners and Senegal take second place.

MATCH RATING (OUT OF FIVE):

 

  

Related Post
Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Inside The Steelers Ep.1

DafaNews sponsored team, Haryana Steelers finished 5th place in the league stage last 7th season.… Read More

May 11, 2023

‘You have to have that dog in you’ – England star Bellingham ready to go to ‘war’ in crucial France World Cup quarter-final clash

England midfielder Jude Bellingham has opened up on his competitive nature ahead of the Three… Read More

December 6, 2022

Portugal’s boss Santos explains why he dropped Cristiano Ronaldo for World Cup clash against Switzerland & claims forward ‘set the example as captain’

Portugal boss Fernando Santos has said he dropped Cristiano Ronaldo for tactical reasons against Switzerland… Read More

December 6, 2022

‘He can still improve’ – Giroud fires England Mbappe warning ahead of World Cup quarter-final clash

Olivier Giroud has warned England that there is still more to come from Kylian Mbappe… Read More

December 6, 2022

WATCH: Unbelievable! Goncalo Ramos replaces Ronaldo for Portugal and completes hat trick in World Cup last-16 match against Switzerland

Portugal youngster Goncalo Ramos replaced Cristiano Ronaldo against Switzerland and stole the headlines by scoring… Read More

December 6, 2022

Morocco hero Amrabat endured 3am injection from physio to ensure he was fit for Spain World Cup last-16 upset

Morocco's Sofyan Amrabat has revealed he was up until 3am having injections the night before… Read More

December 6, 2022