Qatar, the host of the World Cup, is about to be the first team eliminated from the tournament. Qatar lost its second game this afternoon, this time at the hands of a Senegal, the African champion, who without Sadio Mané, is nothing like the other Thursday either and who continues without clearing up doubts. To stay alive in the tournament, Qatar needs Ecuador to beat the Netherlands in the other group game.
If in their debut against Ecuador Qatar was not able to finish off on goal just once against Senegal, Félix Sánchez's team raised their performance somewhat, but not too much. The feeling he leaves behind is that he is the weakest team in the championship. Senegal carried the weight of the game at all times, although his football was not able to create many scoring chances either. It seems like a stingy team, with a lot of tendency to speculate.
In fact, the first reasonably clear opportunity was for Qatar, already in the 34th minute. Ismaila Sarr brought down Afif, the best man from the locals, from behind, but Mateu Lahoz interpreted that there was no penalty. The Valencian referee made his debut in the World Cup and, very much in line with him, his continuous dialogue with the footballers came to please no one.
When the first part died goalless, Qatar took a shot in the foot that would be definitive. It was running in the 42nd minute when the defender Khoukhi made a resounding mistake when attempting a clearance. He missed to keep the ball away from the area and the ball fell to Boulaye Dia, who beat Barsham with a cross shot. The striker belongs to Villarreal and is on loan to Salertina.
If Qatar had hopes of a comeback, the beginning of the second half was devastating for their interests. Four minutes after the restart, Senegal scored the second from a Jakobs corner that Diedhiou headed in beautifully to extend Senegal's lead to two.
Knowing that they were eliminated, Qatar went up in search of a goal that would put them in the game. Senegal lowered the piston and allowed himself to be locked up. The goal for the Gulf team could have arrived in minute 67 from a good shot by Ismail Mohammad that Mendy saved with the save of the match.
Qatar's growth had its reward in minute 78 with a great cross from Almoez Ali and an excellent header from Muntari that came in close to the post. Hope did not last long for the locals. In the 83rd minute, a counter by Senegal ended in a goal from Dieng and the final 1-3. Barring a surprise, the party is over for Qatar.
