The Senegal national team qualified for the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup after Kalidou Koulibaly scored the winning goal. It was Ismaila Sarr who gave the African champions the lead in the 44th minute. Senegal advanced to the knockout stage after Moises Caicedo leveled for Ecuador after the break. This is Senegal’s first knockout round at a World Cup since 2002 when they reached the quarter-finals.

Senegal qualifies for the last 16 with spectacular scenes in Qatar. That’s a great accomplishment. It was a great moment for Aliou Cisse’s team. The team held on at the end, but they succeeded. Ecuador did not cross the finish line. Their elimination from the tournament comes to an end. Senegal last made it to the knockout stages of a World Cup 20 years ago. This will be a lot of fun for them. It is possible that they will play England this weekend.

Two minutes earlier, Moises Caicedo had tied Ecuador with a corner goal after Chelsea’s defender hit a superb volleyed winner. The result would have meant they would have advanced instead of Chelsea. First-half performances by the African team blew away Ecuador to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 20 years, who came into the game needing only a point.

World Cup 2022 round-of-16 match, Senegal advances thanks to Koulibaly’s goal

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Senegal defeated Ecuador with a volley from Kalidou Koulibaly to advance to the Round of 16. Piero Hincapie bundled over Ismaila Sarr just before half-time, which was converted by the African champions, with the Netherlands beating Qatar as expected to top Group A. So a series of early chances were missed by the Lions of Teranga, including one by Idrissa Gueye and another by Boulaye Dia. Moises Caicedo tapped in from a corner to equalize in the 67th minute.

The score remained level for only two minutes when Koulibaly volleyed home a superb right-footed shot from Gueye’s free-kick. A goal for Ecuador would have made them the first country to qualify for the knockout stage for the second time in their history, as they won their first match against Qatar before drawing 1-1 with the Netherlands. After today’s matches, Senegal could face England, but it hung on to book a possible meeting.

At the 2022 World Cup, Sporting News tracked Ecuador vs. Senegal live scoring updates and highlights. Click here to view the full Group A match results.

Ecuador vs. Senegal Final Score:

Goals:
Senegal – Ismaila Sarr (44 mins, pen)

Ecuador – Moises Caicedo (67 mins)

Senegal – Kalidou Koulibaly (70 mins)

List of Confirmed Line-ups:

Starting Line-up for Ecuador (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Galindez (GK) — 17. Preciado, 2. F. Torres, 3. Hincapie, 7. Estupinan —  21. Franco, 8. Gruezo, 23. Caicedo — 19. Plata, 11. Estrada, 13. Valencia.

Starting Line-up for Senegal  (4-2-3-1, right to left): 16. E. Mendy (GK) — 21. Sabaly, 3. Koulibaly, 14. Jakobs, 22. Diallo — 26. P Gueye, 5. I. Gueye — 11. P Ciss, 18. I. Sarr, 13. Ndiaye — 9. Dia

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With Sadio Mane out, Senegal suffers a less intimidating opponent and must improve to win against Ecuador. Senegal lost 2-0 to the Dutch but beat Qatar 3-1 to sit third in Group A. “We must improve our concentration,” said Senegal coach Aliou Cisse. Our best chance of making the last 16 lies in winning.”

It knows that victory over Ecuador would help atone for its miserable tournament last year when it was eliminated on disciplinary grounds in Russia, one of only three African nations to reach the quarterfinals of a World Cup. If Senegal draws, as well as Ecuador if it loses, both scenarios would require Qatar to win over the Netherlands in order to push the Dutch into third place.