Host Qatar are mathematically out of the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup after they slumped to a 3-1 defeat against Senegal at the Al Thumama Stadium on Friday.
A win or a draw for Netherlands against Ecuador, who beat Qatar in the tournament’s opening game, later on Friday will see the Qataris become the first side to be eliminated from the biggest soccer competition.
Both teams went into the match in dire need of a victory after opening the competition with defeats, and Senegal initially went down to Netherlands and Qatar being bested by an Enner Valencia-inspired Ecuador.
Boulaye Dia opened the scoring for Senegal shortly before half-time when he pounced on a mistake from the Qatar defence to coolly slot into the net. Famara Diedhiou then doubled the African team’s lead just three minutes into the second half when he rose to head in a corner.
Mohammed Muntari managed to pull one back for the tournament hosts after 78 minutes, but that goal was rendered irrelevant when Bamba Dieng added a third with a simple finish after Iliman Ndiaye had cut the ball back.
The win gives Senegal a vital three points to put them in third place and sets them up for a vital showdown against Ecuador in the final game of the group stage.
Qatar, meanwhile, will have no way back into the competition and have a daunting final fixture against Netherlands to come.
