Qatar 1-3 Senegal: Hapless Qatar suffer World Cup exit after the African champions cruise to victory in the Group A clash, with Ecuador and Holland then sharing spoils to eliminate hosts
- Senegal cruised to a 3-1 win over Qatar to boost their hopes of reaching last 16
- Boulaye Dia put the African champions ahead just before the half time interval
- Just after the second half begun, Famara Diedhiou doubled Senegal's lead
- Mohammed Muntari scored Qatar's first ever World Cup goal to give them hope
- But Bamba Dieng scored a late goal to wrap up all three points for Senegal
- Holland drew with Ecuador, meaning Qatar have been eliminated
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
The best stadiums to ever stage a World Cup? Quite possibly. But Qatar could now be remembered for having the worst hosting team to go with those sparkling steel and glass structures in the desert.
South Africa were the only hosts to exit at the group stage previously but they won our admiration for giving it a go in 2010. Qatar waited until they were trailing 2-0 before doing so here.
They got a goal back – their first ever at a World Cup – but it’s a second successive defeat for the Qataris and Holland's 1-1 draw with Ecuador in the later game confirmed their elimination.
![Boulaye Dia (R) put Senegal ahead as he found the net just before half time against Qatar](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/25/15/64936021-11462449-image-a-49_1669388668650.jpg)
Boulaye Dia (R) put Senegal ahead as he found the net just before half time against Qatar
![Famara Diedhiou produced a brilliant header to double Senegal's lead just after half time](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/25/15/64938545-11462449-image-a-50_1669389031682.jpg)
Famara Diedhiou produced a brilliant header to double Senegal's lead just after half time
![Mohammed Muntari headed home Qatar's first ever World Cup goal to give the hosts hope](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/25/15/64938775-11462449-image-a-51_1669389495896.jpg)
Mohammed Muntari headed home Qatar's first ever World Cup goal to give the hosts hope
![He rushed to get the ball back as Qatar went in search of a late equaliser in the game](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/25/15/64938799-11462449-image-a-52_1669389530084.jpg)
He rushed to get the ball back as Qatar went in search of a late equaliser in the game
The Netherlands are next. South Africa beat France in their final group game in 2010. It will take an almighty effort if Qatar are to ensure they don’t go down as the World Cup’s worst hosts in history as they attempt to salvage some pride.
In better news for Senegal, they became the first African team to win a game at this World Cup, doing so without Sadio Mane.
Manager Aliou Cisse will not like how they gave Qatar a glimpse of a result in the second half but a win’s a win. Their date with Ecuador on Tuesday now has all the makings of a tasty decider.
Qatar’s erratic goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb was dropped to make way for Meshaal Barsham, the younger brother of Olympic high jump champion Mutaz Essa Barshim. One early leap from Barsham was misjudged as Famara Diedhiou nearly headed home a corner.
Every man in Senegal’s XI had experience of playing in Europe’s elite leagues. Only one member of Qatar’s team could say the same and that was Akram Afif, their brightest spark.
In the 34th minute, with Qatar having not yet managed a shot on target at this World Cup, the hosts hoped for some help from Spanish referee Antonio Mateu.
Afif broke behind Senegal and stepped across Ismaila Sarr, dropping down under pressure from the Watford player.
It was clever from Afif – the sort of movement we see Leicester’s Jamie Vardy make in the Premier League – yet it didn't work.
No penalty from Mateu, and no correction from VAR, despite Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo winning a spot-kick for much less a day previous.
The Qataris’ anger was only amplified when Boulaye Dia then made it 1-0 to Senegal.
Central defender Boualem Khoukhi made a mess of trying to clear the danger in his own box, Dia capitalised and lashed the loose ball beyond Barsham.
![Bamba Dieng wrapped up the win for Senegal with a late strike from inside the penalty area](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/25/15/64938827-11462449-Bamba_Dieng_wrapped_up_the_win_for_Senegal_with_a_late_strike_fr-a-16_1669391942204.jpg)
Bamba Dieng wrapped up the win for Senegal with a late strike from inside the penalty area
There was no Mane, but as Wales discovered with Gareth Bale earlier in the day, countries cannot rely on one man. Dia had stepped up and Senegal had a 1-0 half-time lead.
In the 48th minute, it was 2-0. Ismail Jakobs’ corner came in and Diedhiou nipped in front of Almoez Ali to glance his header beyond Barsham. It was a goal that would be celebrated in Bristol, with the striker having spent four years at Ashton Gate.
Qatar had no choice now. They had to go for it. After 165 minutes of World Cup football, they finally had their first shot on target when Afif fed Ali, whose attempt was nudged wide by Edouard Mendy.
![Senegal fans were delighted after their side kept their World Cup dream alive](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/25/15/64938857-11462449-image-a-54_1669389633239.jpg)
Senegal fans were delighted after their side kept their World Cup dream alive
![Qatar have become just the second World Cup host nation to be eliminated at the group stage](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/25/15/64938897-11462449-image-a-55_1669389682422.jpg)
Qatar look set to become just the second host nation to be eliminated at the group stage
In the 67th minute, Ismail Mohamad thought he had scored, only for Mendy to produce a super reaction save with his right hand.
This was Qatar’s best spell of this World Cup and it was 2-1 after 78 minutes. Mohamad crossed from the right and Mohammed Muntari, having come on as a substitute, headed beyond Mendy.
Game on – or so we thought. Senegal completed the 3-1 scoreline with Bamba Dieng meeting Iliman Ndiaye's cut-back into the box.
A second successive defeat for Qatar and the Netherlands are next. The only bonus is they don’t have to travel far to get home.
Follow Sportsmail's live blog for the World Cup Group A clash between Qatar and Senegal.
It's all over, and Senegal pick up three points to leave Qatar on the brink of elimination.
Ali leaves two players behind with a lovely turn.
He tries to find the top corner but his shot flies wide.
Madibo goes flying in on Dieng and gets nothing on the ball. Yellow card.
We will have six minutes added on to finish this game.
Hassan fancies a goal today.
He's had a few efforts in this second half, and his latest long-range strike flies just a yard wide of the post.
Ciss looks like he might get a touch on the ball, but the referee doesn't think so. He's shown a yellow card.
Just before that goal, Qatar made two more changes.
Miguel and Ahmed went off, with Salman and Abdulwahab coming on.
Senegal score a third.
Just when Qatar were getting back into it, Senegal work the ball down their right and the ball is cut back to Dieng. He makes clean contact with it to surely wrap this match up.
Senegal have looked dangerous from set-pieces and they win another header but Qatar clear the ball upfield.
They are still in with a chance here.
Qatar have their first ever World Cup goal!
Mohamad puts an inviting ball in and the substitute Muntari comes flying in to power a header into the bottom corner.
Can Qatar still get something here?
Nampalys Mendy and Jakobs go off. On come Pape Sarr and Cisse.
Al-Haydos goes off and is replaced by Muntari for Qatar.
Sarr and Diedhiou are replaced by Ndiaye and Dieng for Senegal.
Afif finds Khoukhi at the back post with a free-kick.
He should probably shoot, but tries to cut it back and Senegal block the ball behind for a corner. The resulting corner comes to nothing.
Senegal work the ball into the box and Nampalys Mendy gets a shot off. He's under pressure, though, and his effort goes harmlessly over.
Boudiaf goes off, and is replaced by Hatem.
Qatar have dominated the last 10 minutes.
It's a wonderful cross in and Mohamad should score. He doesn't make great contact on it, but Mendy does brilliantly to tip the ball behind for a corner.
Ciss comes on for Diatta.
From the resulting corner, Pedro Miguel shoots wide. Dion Dublin on commentary calls his effort 'awful'. Perhaps a touch harsh!
This is so much better from Qatar.
Afif finds Ali, who turns and hits his shot well. Mendy has to get down to his right to palm it behind for a corner.
Hassan tries a speculative effort from fully 35 yards out.
Mendy is worried, but the ball goes about a yard wide of his post. Great strike.
Afif breaks forward but tries a tricky pass rather than trying to find Ahmed outside him.
Senegal cut out the through ball and win the ball back.
A chance for Qatar.
Afif's free-kick is not cleared and it drops for Hassan in the penalty box. His strike looks to be on target, but it is blocked away.
Jakobs catches his opponent with a flailing arm and he goes into the book.
GOAL FOR SENEGAL!
What a header this is! The ball comes in from a corner and Diedhiou stoops down to head the ball into the far corner. No chance for the keeper.
Senegal get us back up and running...
The second half is moments away. Will Qatar finally get a shot on target?
Today marks two years since Diego Maradona passed away at the age of 60.
The BBC are currently paying tribute to the 1986 World Cup winner, who also made the 1990 final with Argentina.
Akram Afif was adamant that he should have had a penalty after a clumsy challenge from Ismaila Sarr. It looked like a very decent penalty shout.
It's Boulaye Dia's goal that separates the two teams.
He took his chance well after a mistake by Khoukhi.
The whistle blows and Senegal lead at the break.
Qatar won't get many corners and they don't make the most of this one.
They hardly throw anyone into the box and Senegal clear the ball away easily.
Ahmed with a poor challenge as he catches Koulibaly on the top of his feet. He receives a yellow card.
We've had a few stoppages, and that means we will have seven minutes of added time.
Pedro Miguel clashes with his own team-mate and takes a knee to the chest. It's completely accidental, of course, but painful nonetheless, and on comes the physio to check on him.
He looks to be fine to continue.
GOAL FOR SENEGAL!
It's a terrible mistake from Khoukhi who tries to clear an innocuous cross but gets very little on it.
Dia follows in and fires home the loose ball. A poor goal for Qatar to concede just before half time.
Barsham has had a thoroughly entertaining first half.
He now tries a dragback to bring the ball into his penalty box, but mis-controls it and needs his defence to bail him out of trouble again.
Senegal get into a great position, and should get a shot off, but Qatar just get enough bodies in the way and the ball trickles through to the goalkeeper.
This looks a very good shout for a Qatar penalty.
Afif bursts into the box and is protecting the ball. Sarr looks to bundle into the back of him but the penalty appeal is waved away. That looks a penalty every day of the week. Big let-off for Senegal
Senegal pick up their first booking, with Dia shown a yellow card for a late tackle.
Mendy's big kick picks out Sarr and Barsham comes flying out of his goal.
He doesn't get the ball, but his defence bail him out of danger, and the ball goes up into the air and back into his hands.
Barsham is looking to get involved at every opportunity, but not always with great success.
He tries a punch when really he should be catching the ball. It drops to Sabaly who volleys wide from the edge of the area. The flag belatedly went up, and it would not have stood anyway.
Another corner missed by the officials.
Hassan moves forward and tries a hopeful effort from 30 yards out. It gets a big deflection, but a goal kick is given.
Senegal up the tempo and Gueye plays a quick one-two to get himself into some space.
He lets fly from the edge of the box, and strikes it very well, but it goes just wide of the post.
Qatar standing firm for now, with Senegal still looking to fashion a big chance.
Mohamad goes in late with a tackle from behind and he goes into the book.
There was a clash of heads at that corner with both teams having players needing treatment. Diallo and Pedro Miguel look to both be OK, and we can continue.
Barsham has to get down low to keep out Diatta's deflected cross.
From the resulting corner, Barsham comes again and gets nowhere near it. The ball is headed towards wide, but luckily for Qatar it drifts wide.
Better from Qatar.
They recycle possession after their free-kick is cleared, and the ball drops for Afif. It's awkward height and his volley goes well over.
Qatar have already been harder to break down than they were in their opening game.
Madibo puts in a strong challenge which earns a ripple of applause from the crowd.
Qatar burst forward for the first time down their left, but the final ball is poor and Senegal win a goal kick.
Senegal work the ball down the right again.
The ball comes out to Mendy around 25 yards out, and he has go, but his shot is well off target.
Senegal are dominating the ball early, but they are unable to create any clear openings yet.
First half-chance of the game goes to Senegal.
Sarr cuts inside and bursts into the box. His shot is deflected into the side-netting, but that isn't spotted and a goal kick is given.
Both teams figuring each other out early on here. Senegal look to get forward down their right, but the ball goes out for a goal kick.
Qatar get the game underway...
Both teams have just emerged from the tunnel. We will have the two national anthems, and then it will be time for kick-off.
None of the five African nations won their opening game in Qatar.
Can Senegal end that run of games without a win today?
Qatar: Barsham, Hassan, Al-Amin, Boualem, Mohammed, Pedro Miguel, Boudiaf, Madibo, Al-Haydos, Ali, Afif
Senegal: Edouard Mendy, Koulibaly, Diallo, Jakobs, Sabaly, Nampalys Mendy, Gueye, Diatta, Sarr, Dia, Diedhiou
Today is a huge game for Qatar as they look to keep their World Cup hopes alive, but manager Felix Sanchez does not appear to be letting the pressure get to him.
Qatar HAVE changed their goalkeeper, with Meshaal Barsham coming in.
Almoez Ali and Akram Afif will lead the line once again.
Wales have not been able to hang on, with Iran scoring two late goals to leave their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread.
Kalidou Koulibaly will captain the side, while Edouard Mendy keeps his place in goal.
Idrissa Gana Gueye, Ismaila Sarr and Nampalys Mendy also start for Aliou Cisse's side.
Wales have been reduced to 10 men with goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey shown a straight red card.
The game is just moving into nine minutes of added time. Can they hang on?
Kick-off is just 90 minutes away. We should have today's teams in the next half hour.
Wales have just had a huge slice of fortune, with Iran hitting the post twice in quick succession.
Follow the second half by clicking the link below...
Some early team news ahead of England's match tonight.
Harry Kane and Harry Maguire have both been declared fit for the match after going off in the second half of England's opening match win against Iran.
To read more about what Gareth Southgate has had to say ahead of the match, click on the link below...
It's still goalless at the interval between Wales and Iran.
Both teams really need a win if they want to give themselves a chance of making the last 16.
To keep up-to-date with that Group A clash, click the link below...
This is Qatar's first time at a World Cup, but Senegal have competed in two tournaments before.
In 2002, they made it all the way to the quarter-finals, beating defending champions France in their first group game, and then knocking Sweden out in extra-time in the last 16. Their run was eventually ended by Turkey in the last eight.
Their second World Cup was not so successful, as they exited at the group stage four years ago.
We are only just starting the second group matches, but teams may already be thinking about the possibility of World Cup tiebreakers being needed to decide places in the last 16 if sides end up on the same number of points.
Should teams finish on the same points, the next tiebreaker is goal difference. Qatar and Senegal both have a -2 goal difference at the moment.
Should that not be enough, it will then come down to group goals scored, and then the next tiebreaker is head-to-head record.
It's another hot day in Qatar, with the Al Thumama Stadium bathed in sunshine ahead of kick-off this afternoon.
Senegal did not do a lot wrong in their game against the Netherlands, and the game looked to be heading for a goalless draw before Louis Van Gaal's side scored two late goals.
Aliou Cisse now has a decision to make over whether to stick with the same side, or change things up in a game that his team really need to win.
Here's Senegal's full squad...
Goalkeepers: Seny Dieng, Alfred Gomis, Edouard Mendy.
Defenders: Pape Abou Cisse, Fode Ballo-Toure, Abdou Diallo, Ismail Jakobs, Kalidou Koulibaly, Formose Mendy, Youssouf Sabaly.
Midfielders: Pathe Ciss, Krepin Diatta, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Gueye, Cheikhou Kouyate, Pape Matar Sarr, Mamadou Loum, Nampalys Mendy, Moustapha Name.
Forwards: Boulaye Dia, Famara Diédhiou, Bamba Dieng, Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaila Sarr.
Qatar manager Felix Sanchez may be tempted to ring the changes today after his side were thoroughly outplayed by Ecuador.
Goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb had a particularly difficult game, giving away a penalty when he tripped Enner Valencia, while he was also looked all at sea just before Ecuador's disallowed goal in the opening minutes of the game.
Will he keep his place today?
Here's the full Qatar squad...
Goalkeepers: Saad Al Sheeb, Yousef Hassan, Meshaal Barsham
Defenders: Abdelkarim Hassan, Boualem Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, Ismaeel Mohammed, Bassam Al-Rawi, Tarek Salman, Musab Kheder, Jassem Gaber, Homam Ahmed
Midfielders: Karim Boudiaf, Abdulaziz Hatem, Ali Assadalla, Assim Madibo, Salem Al-Hajri, Mohammed Waad, Mostafa Meshaal
Forwards: Hassan Al-Haydos, Akram Afif, Almoez Ali, Mohammed Muntari, Ahmed Alaaeldin, Khalid Muneer, Naif Al-Hadhrami
Senegal were dealt a cruel blow on the eve of the tournament when their talisman Sadio Mane was ruled out due to injury.
They defended well for large parts against the Netherlands on Monday, but seemed to be missing Mane when they broke into the final third.
Can they find some goals today to keep their World Cup dream alive?
Host nations have tended to take advantage of home advantage, with South Africa the only country to fail to make it past the first stage at their own tournament back in 2010.
France were the last host nation to win the World Cup in 1998.
Click on the link below to read how host nations have fared over the years as Qatar look to avoid falling at the first hurdle.
After one round of group matches, we've decided to put together a team of the opening round.
See if you agree with our selections by clicking on the link below...
Wales are about to start their second group game against Iran. A win will edge them nearer to the last 16.
To follow their match, click the link below...
Qatar were pretty dismal in their first game against Ecuador, and were perhaps a little fortunate to only lose by two goals.
Coach Felix Sanchez has admitted his side are 'prepared for an early exit' from the tournament, but feels the players will 'have a point to prove' when they face Senegal today.
Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy had an opening game to forget against the Netherlands.
He was beaten in the air by Cody Gakpo for the first goal of the game, and then palmed Memphis Depay's shot straight into the path of Davy Klaassen for the Dutch's second goal.
However, Senegal boss Aliou Cisse has insisted that he will stand by the under-fire shot-stopper.
After today, all four teams in Group A will have played their first two group matches.
There is more to come next Tuesday, though.
Here's a rundown of the results and fixtures in Group A...
Qatar 0-2 Ecuador
Senegal 0-2 Netherlands
Qatar vs Senegal - Friday, November 25
Netherlands vs Ecuador - Friday, November 25
Netherlands vs Qatar - Tuesday, November 29
Ecuador vs Senegal - Tuesday, November 29
This will be the first time that Qatar and Senegal have ever faced each other, and what a stage to do it on!
The game will be aired in the UK on BBC One. For those looking to stream the match, you will be able to do so by using the BBC iPlayer.
Fox and the Peacock streaming service, as well as Telemundo and Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, will carry the match in the US.
Australian viewers can tune into the game via SBS, who will be televising every match during the 2022 World Cup.
If you're unable to watch the game live, you can relive the action via the FIFA YouTube Channel (Worldwide). The official YouTube channel will be posting highlight reels after each game.
UK: BBC One and BBC iPlayer
US: FOX Sports App, Peacock, Foxsports.com, SiriusXM FC, Telemundo, FOX Network, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo
Australia: SBS and SBS On Demand
Today's match will take place at the Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor, which has a capacity of 40,000.
The venue was only opened in October 2021, but hosted six matches at the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup.
Senegal played their first game of the tournament against the Netherlands at the Al Thumama Stadium as well.
In total, six group matches will be held at the stadium, plus one last-16 match and a quarter-final clash.
Qatar and Senegal both lost their opening matches 2-0 against Ecuador and the Netherlands, respectively.
This leaves both sides needing to pick up a positive result here to keep their hopes alive of making it to the knockout stages of the tournament.
If Qatar lose today, and the Netherlands beat Ecuador later, the hosts will be OUT of their own World Cup after just two matches.
This is due to the fact that Senegal and Ecuador play each other last, so would be playing for the chance to join the Netherlands in the last 16.
The first round of group matches have now been completed at this year's tournament.
We've already seen some of the favourites living up to their billing, but we've also seen huge upsets with Argentina and Germany both losing their opening games.
Here are all the results from the World Cup so far...
Group A:
Qatar 0-2 Ecuador
Senegal 0-2 Netherlands
Group B:
England 6-2 Iran
USA 1-1 Wales
Group C:
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
Mexico 0-0 Poland
Group D:
Denmark 0-0 Tunisia
France 4-1 Australia
Group E:
Germany 1-2 Japan
Spain 7-0 Costa Rica
Group F:
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
Belgium 1-0 Canada
Group G:
Switzerland 1-0 Cameroon
Brazil 2-0 Serbia
Group H:
Uruguay 0-0 South Korea
Portugal 3-2 Ghana
Qatar-Senegal is today's second match of the day. Once again, we have four games in total today, with England, Wales and the Netherlands all in action.
Here's a rundown of today's fixtures...
10am - Wales vs Iran
1pm - Qatar vs Senegal
4pm - Netherlands vs Ecuador
7pm - England vs USA
Welcome to our live coverage of today's Group A clash between tournament hosts Qatar and Senegal.
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