ECUADOR are facing Senegal in their final Group A clash RIGHT NOW – and both teams can still advance.
The Ecuadorians held table-topping Netherlands to a 1-1 draw which has put them in a good position to progress to the next round.
But Senegal secured a crucial 3-1 win against hosts Qatar to keep them within touching distance of the two teams above.
Senegal HAVE to win this game to qualify for the knockout stages, while a point will do the job for Ecuador.
- Kick-off: 3pm UK
- Group A: LIVE TABLE
- TV channel: ITV 4
- Live stream: ITV X
- Ecuador XI: Galindez, Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan, Franco, Caicedo, Plata, Estrada, Valencia
- Senegal XI: Mendy, Sabaly, Koulibaly, Jakobs, Diallo, Ciss, P. Gueye, Ndiaye, I. Gueye, Sarr, Dia
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Kick-off – Ecuador 0-1 Senegal
46. We said that Ecuador would have to change something in the second half, and Gustavo Alfaro has realised that.
The Ecuador coach has made a double change at the break with Brighton’s Jeremy Sarmiento on along with Jose Cifuentes.
Alan Franco and Carlos Gruezo are the pair that make way.
Live from Khalifa International Stadium
Andy Dillon is our man at the ground this afternoon, and he’s been in touch to give us his half-time thoughts.
“Ismaila Sarr has turned up the volume of the Senegalese drums with a surprise goal that puts them in the driving seat to reach the last 16.
The African champions need victory to overtake Ecuador and are now in the lead thanks to the Watford winger’s athleticism and steely nerve.
Andy Dillon
“He was wiped out by Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapie as he burst through on goal. And in the absence of injured Senegal captain Sadio Mane, stepped up to score from the penalty spot.
“It’s a deserved lead as Ecuador have been sitting tight looking for the point they need to go through and it’s backfired.
“Depending how results go later, Senegal could face England in the knockout stages where Chelsea pair Edouard Mendy and Kalibou Koulibaly would meet some familiar faces from Stamford Bridge on the opposite side of the pitch.”
First half facts and figures
Ecuador may have had the greater share of possession, but Senegal have bossed this game from the off as demonstrated by the shots total of either side.
The fact that only one of their ten attempts – the penalty they scored – has been on target is perhaps indicative of a side missing their main Mane.
Half-time – Ecuador 0-1 Senegal
Clement Turpin calls time on the first half, and Senegal take a deserved lead in with them at the break courtesy of Ismaila Sarr’s penalty.
It’s unlikely that the Watford star has ever scored as important a goal with his strike currently the one taking his country through to the Last 16 of the World Cup.
Ecuador 0-1 Senegal
45+4. There’s something of a flashpoint down by the corner flag as Valencia crashes to the ground, holding his knee.
There’s the suggestion that Sabaly has caught the Ecuador captain off the ball, but replays show that there was barely anything in it.
French official Clement Turpin is too experienced an official to be fooled into anything daft there.
Ecuador 0-1 Senegal
45+2. You expect Ecuador will regroup and rethink once they’re get back in the dressing room, but the game may be beyond them by that point!
Ndiaye goes close to notching a quickfire second after another weaving run into the box.
Ecuador 0-1 Senegal
45. The board goes up to signal six minutes of stoppage time, but that may be extended following the flamboyant celebrations that greeted Sarr’s goal.
Ecuador 0-1 Senegal
44. Ismaila Sarr scores for Senegal!
The Watford man is as cool as you like as he stutters in his run-up before stroking his right-footed spotkick into the bottom corner beyond the flat-footed Hernan Galindez.
It’s a huge goal that puts the Africans on course for the Last 16!
Ecuador have been happy to defend so far, but how will they respond now?
Advantage Senegal!
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal – Penalty to Senegal!
42. Piero Hincapie mistimes a challenge, and crashes into Ismaila Sarr inside the area…
…and Clement Turpin points to the penalty spot!
The Ecuador players are furious at the decision, but they can have no complaints with the decision. It’s as clear-cut as they come.
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
39. The Africans are finishing the half as strongly as they started it with Sarr and Ndiaye causing problems in possession.
Can Ecuador see it through to half-time?
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
37. A set-piece brings similar disappointment for Senegal.
Pathe is up highest to a free-kick swung over from the right, but his header rises up above Galindez’s goal.
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
35. A wonderful dink over the top from Pape Gueye almost sends Dia through on goal, but the ball takes an unfortunate bounce at the vital moment and Ecuador escape again.
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
33. A strong challenge by Koulibaly on Valencia leaves the striker momentarily down in the heap, but thankfully for the watching Ecuador fans, he’s quickly back to his feet.
That was firm but fair from the Chelsea defender.
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
31. Ecuador have grown in confidence in the past five minutes or so, and have begun to keep the ball very well at the back.
The South Americans are knocking it around, and attempting to tire their opponents, who started this contest at such a furious pace.
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
29. Another stoppage gives television directors around the world the chance to show the opening goal from the group’s other game where Cody Gakpo has fired his third of the tournament to put the Dutch ahead against Qatar.
Few would have been expecting the hosts to do much in that match, but the deadlock being broken does reinforce the fact that Senegal have to win here.
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
27. The Senegalese are pushing again.
To such an extent that even captain Kalidou Koulibaly has crossed the halfway line.
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
25. The corner comes to nothing, and you do start to wonder about all these Senegal chances.
Would a fit Sadio Mane have been the difference at these finals?
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
24. A slice of Hertfordshire comes to Qatar as Watford’s Sarr cuts inside from the left with a drop of the shoulder, and then curls a shot wide of the far post.
In fact, the forward’s attempt took the slightest of touches off a defender – think Cristiano Ronaldo’s hairline – and has gone behind for a corner.
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
23. Dia and Sabaly combine well, and look to have unlocked the Ecuador defence.
However, the Senegal attack then delay the final ball, and that’s just enough for the South Americans to drop back into their defensive shape.
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
21. The Ecuador left-back is back on but moving very gingerly indeed.
It will be worth keeping an eye on him over the next few minutes.
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
20. There’s a pause in play for treatment after Sarr crashes into Preciado on the far side.
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
18. Idrissa Gueye is playing further forward than I’ve ever seen him do so before.
The combative Everton midfielder is operating almost as a number 10, and has just forced the Ecuador defence into conceding another corner.
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
16. If the Senegal fans were in fine voice before kick-off, they’ve taken it to another level now.
They are absolutely loving life right now. You can only imagine how they’d react if they actually scored.
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
14. Despite their dominance, the warning signs are there for Senegal – and they come in the form of Enner Valencia.
The Ecuador captain is a livewire whenever the ball gets near the box, and looks desperate to grab his own slice of World Cup history.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
