The Netherlands and Senegal qualified for the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup by beating Qatar (2-0) and Ecuador (2-1) respectively, on Tuesday in Doha on the third and final day of the 1er round in Group A.
The Dutch finished at the top of this group A (7 points), with two victories, against Senegal and Qatar, and a draw against Ecuador, while the African champions finished with 6 points, two victories, against Qatar and Ecuador, and a defeat against the Netherlands.
The Netherlands will open the ball for the Round of 16 on Saturday at 10 a.m. (EST) at the Khalifa Stadium, against the runners-up in Group B, either England, Iran, the United States or Wales depending on results of Tuesday’s matches.
Senegal, African champion, will face the first of this same group B, Sunday at 2 p.m.
At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Senegalese were in the same situation with their destiny in their hands in the third match against a South American team, Colombia.
Beaten 1 to 0, they had said goodbye to their dream. And there had been no African country in the sixteen qualified.
Ecuador dreamed of reaching the round of 16 for the second time, as in 2006 when, for its first participation, “El Tri” was beaten by England (1-0) on a free kick from David Beckham.
For that, they needed at least a draw in this last game. But they had to bow first on a penalty from Ismaïla Sarr just before half-time (44e) then on a shot from Kalidou Koulibali (70e) while Caicedo had given hope to his people by equalizing (67e).
For its part, Qatar is the first host country of a World Cup to end its World Cup with three defeats in as many outings.
Before the small Gulf emirate, only one host had been eliminated at the end of the group stage: South Africa, in 2010, with however a more honorable course.