Senegal honors past in big WC win

Kalidou Koulibaly literally drew inspiration on his captain’s armband, writing the No. 19 on it in memory of one of Senegal’s most loved players. Then Koulibaly became one himself. The Senegal captain scored the winning goal in the 2-1 Group A victory over Ecuador on Tuesday, putting his team into the round of 16 at the World Cup despite the absence of the injured Sadio Mane, tone of the best strikers in the world. The No. 19 was to honor Papa Bouba Diop, the Senegal midfielder who scored the winning goal against defending champion France in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup. It was one of Senegal’s greatest soccer moments and a victory that started that team’s run to the quarterfinals — still Senegal’s best performance. “... We wanted to give homage to him,” Koulibaly said of Diop, who died at the age of 42 two years ago Tuesday. Only a win against Ecuador would have taken Senegal through to the next round, and Koulibaly, above, scored the goal that made it happen off a free kick in the 70th minute at Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan.