(Doha) Senegal, generous, but sometimes rough, recorded Tuesday against Ecuador its 2e victory (2-1) in group A of the World Cup-2022, thus qualifying for the round of 16 in front of long-waiting South Americans.
As a tribute, this 2e Senegal’s ticket to the history of a knockout match, is confirmed two years to the day after the death of Pope Bouba Diop, hero of the 2002 World Cup that the Lions had completed in the quarter-finals.
Beaten at the opening by the Netherlands, their distant heirs are not there yet, but with six points in pool, they improve their best passing time by one unit. Even deprived of Sadio Mané, their best injured player in Qatar.
A relief that they owe in large part to their captain Koulibaly, author of his 1er international goal to put Senegal in front (70) while Ecuador, finally out of its reserve had just equalized by Caicedo (67).
Previously, Sarr had allowed an African champion still imprecise offensively to open the scoring by causing and then converting a penalty (44). The only downside to this festive outcome, the Lions will have to do without Gueye, still warned and suspended for the next match.
On the other hand, this stale end can give regret to less playful Ecuadorians, who, after having tied the game with the Oranje, this time gave the impression of thinking above all about defending the point of the draw which was enough for them. to qualify.
Nervous, but obviously recovered after injuring his knee against the Netherlands, their star striker Valencia was never able to put himself in a position to register his 4e goal in this World Cup. While he could become the first player in the history of the World Cup to score seven goals in a row for his selection, he therefore sees his series end there.
Just like the adventure of this too managerial Ecuador on Tuesday, which ends the competition with four points.
Conversely, Senegal, one step behind the Netherlands, continues on its way, even showing the way to other African countries present in Qatar.