Koulibaly winner sends Senegal into the last 16
KALIDOU Koulibaly scored a second-half winner as Senegal beat Ecuador 2-1 to finish second in Group A and book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup.
Watford forward Ismaila Sarr kept his cool to slot in a penalty spot just before half-time, but Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo levelled in the 67th minute.
Senegal, though, were soon back in front when captain Koulibaly fired the ball home following a free-kick to send his side into the knockout stage.
The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champions had a great chance inside the opening two minutes when the ball ran through the penalty area to Idrissa Gueye, but the Everton man dragged his shot wide.
Youssouf Sabaly played Boulaye Dia into the right side of the box, but his low, angled shot went across the face of goal and past the far post before Sarr cut in from the left and curled a shot wide.
Senegal, who beat hosts Qatar after losing their opening group match against the Netherlands, were awarded a penalty just before halftime when Piero Hincapie collided into Sarr. The Hornets frontman got up to take the spot-kick himself and calmly rolled the ball past Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez.
After seeing lots more possession after the break, Ecuador, who only needed to draw to progress, levelled in the 68th minute when Brighton midfielder Caicedo lashed the ball in from close range following a corner.
Senegal, though, were soon back in front from a set-piece of their own with 20 minutes left. Chelsea defender Koulibaly arrived at the far post to fire home his first international goal when a deep free-kick was turned into his path.
As Ecuador pushed forward, they looked vulnerable on the counter, with Dia firing just wide as the Lions of Teranga held out for a memorable victory to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time since 2002.
Elsewhere in Group A, Cody Gakpo enhanced his reputation by becoming the first Netherlands player to score in each of his first three World Cup matches in a 2-0 victory over hosts Qatar.
The 23-year-old forward entered the tournament as one of the hottest prospects in Europe, and his displays in the Middle East have only furthered his credentials.
His versatility was shown by his 26th-minute strike from the edge of the penalty area coming via his right foot having already scored with his left against Ecuador and his head versus Senegal.
Frenkie De Jong tied things up after the break as the Netherlands won Group A.
■ The final round of Group B games, – including England versus Wales – concluded after last night’s Daily Press deadline.
■ Bruno Fernandes says it does not matter who scored Portugal’s opening goal in the 2-0 victory over Uruguay that secured their place in the World Cup knockout phase.
It initially looked like Cristiano Ronaldo had drawn level with Portugal’s record World Cup goalscorer Eusebio when he rose to try to head in Fernandes’ 54th-minute cross – but replays showed that the Portugal captain, who has scored eight World Cup goals, did not get a touch on it and the goal was given to Fernandes as his team claimed a second successive Group H win.
Fernandes’ opener, followed by a penalty from the Manchester United star in added time, proved enough to turn a tense contest Portugal’s way – and it left them in pole position to top their group ahead of facing South Korea on Friday.
“I don’t think it really matters who scored the goal” Fernandes said.
“The feeling I had at the time was that Cristiano touched the ball. I was passing the ball to him.
“But the important thing was that we won against a tough opponent.
“The importance of us being first in the group includes us winning the next game, which would allow us to come out of the group undefeated. That is what we want.
“We have a very organised team ahead of us on Friday.”
Uruguay will need to beat Ghana on Friday in their quest for a place in the round of 16.