By Kwadwo Boateng
The Terenga Lions of Senegal today beat Ecuador 2-1 to qualify for Round 16 of the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Captain Kalidou Koulibaly powered the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champions through, making Senegal the 1st African team to progress to the next stage of the competition.
Ismaila Sarr turned up to score the opening goal of the game after stepping up to score from the penalty spot after he had been fouled in the box
Moises Caicedo drew Ecuador levelled 22 minutes after the recess as he ended up on a Felix Torres cross to beat Edouard Mendy.
Koulibaly scored three minutes later to restore Senegal’s lead and secure their victory.
The win sees the West African side qualify alongside the Netherlands, who beat Qatar in the other Group A fixture.
Senegal’s win means it is the third time the reigning Africa Cup of Nations holders have reached the knockout phase of the World Cup.
That result also represents the first time that Senegal have claimed back-to-back World Cup victories.
Koulibaly’s winning goal made him Senegal’s oldest goal scorer at the World Cup, while he is their first ever scorer at the tournament to be aged over 30.
It is also Koulibaly’s first ever goal for the Lions of Teranga in 67 appearances in all competitions.
