THAT WIN’S FOR OUR PAL PAPA BOUBA

Sen-sation Koulibaly books last-16 spot and says it’s team tribute to tragic Diop

in Doha KALIDOU KOULIBALY fired Senegal into the last 16 – then turned his aim towards their next opponents.

Chelsea’s defensive kingpin spoke of his pride after netting his first international goal in 67 matches as the Lions of Teranga booked their spot in the knockout stages.

Koulibaly then paid tribute to late Senegalese star Papa Bouba Diop on the second anniversary of his passing.

He also gave a mention to the victims of a landslide in Naples – his adopted second home – and saluted the injured former Liverpool striker Sadio Mane, who sent a ‘Good luck’ message before kick-off.

Koulibaly fired home just two minutes after Ecuador had equalised Ismaila Sarr’s first-half penalty to settle this winner-takes-all final group game.

He said: “There are lots of things going on.

“We knew the anniversary of Papa’s death was important, we wanted to make him proud.

“He was a source of inspiration to all the players.

“It was important to make his family, our own families and the whole of Senegal proud.

“We wanted to show exactly why Senegal are the champions of Africa.

“Two-thirds of the world probably thought we wouldn’t go through after Sadio’s injury. But we are a family, a well-oiled team.

“There is a dream of going beyond the quarter-final. We keep believing, we want to relate the story of Senegalese football.

“The next game will be tough, every game is. But the team who plays against us will be a little bit afraid. They can see we have a lot of talent, that we can do good things.”

Ecuador were entirely passive in an opening half that was far removed from their previous efforts in the tournament.

A shot count of 12-0 in Senegal’s favour accurately reflected where the balance of power lay.

As it was, Senegal had only just one goal to show for their efforts and it didn’t arrive until the 44th minute.

A quick free-kick caught rightback Angelo Preciado napping. He managed only to divert the ball into Sarr’s path.

The attacker powered forward until he was taken out by Piero Hincapie. Referee Clement Turpin had a good game overall.

He would have changed his first name to ‘Dick’ had he robbed Senegal of a spot-kick. Sarr followed the method practised by the likes of Ivan Toney to slot home.

Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro had to make changes at the interval and was rewarded when Moises Caicedo poked home at the far post to level after Felix Torres flicked on a corner.

But all that good work was undone when Enner Valencia (left) inadvertently knocked a ball into Koulibaly’s path. He finished on the full.

Alfaro said: “The first half wasn’t good enough. Truth be said, we weren’t ourselves. We didn’t use our usual system or style.

“I wish we’d played in the first half like we did in the second.”