Kalidou Koulibaly (2nd L) of Senegal shoots to score during the Group A match between Ecuador and Senegal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Nov. 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)
DOHA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Ismaila Sarr and Kalidou Koulibaly scored either side of halftime as Senegal advanced to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in 20 years with a 2-1 win over Ecuador here on Tuesday.
Sarr converted a penalty on the stroke of halftime but Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo put his side on level terms with a close-range finish in the 67th minute.
Koulibaly wrested back the lead for Senegal by thumping home a first-time effort 20 minutes from time.
The result at Khalifa International Stadium means Senegal finish second in Group A with six points from three matches. Ecuador miss out on a place in the last 16, having finished two points further back in third place.
Senegal showed their attacking intent in the third minute when Idrissa Gueye latched onto Ismail Jakobs' cross from the left flank. But the Everton midfielder could only manage to pull his first-time effort wide of the post.
Youssouf Sabaly then released Boulaye Dia with a clever through ball only for the Villarreal forward to flash his shot harmlessly out of play.
Ecuador looked frazzled as Senegal continued to bombard the South American team's defense.
Sarr provided another tense moment for Gustavo Alfaro's men when he ran onto Pape Gueye's headed flick and made a probing run into the box before bending an effort just beyond the far post.
Pathe Ciss let another chance slip by heading over the bar after a curling Jakobs free-kick from the right wing.
Ecuador struggled to advance into their final third as Caicedo, Carlos Gruezo and Alan Franco were suffocated by Senegal's high-pressing back four.
Senegal were finally rewarded for their dominance when Sarr was awarded a penalty, having been bowled over by Piero Hincapie in a race for the ball inside the box.
The Watford winger coolly slotted the resultant spot-kick into the bottom right corner, leaving goalkeeper Hernan Galindez planted to the middle of his line.
Ecuador began the second half with a greater sense of urgency, moving the ball more fluently and forcing Senegal to defend deeper.
Pervis Estupinan created a rare chance for his team as he sent a sumptuous cross into the path of Michael Estrada, whose header missed the target.
Ecuador equalized when Felix Torres leapt highest to flick on Gonzalo Plata's silken delivery from a corner. Caicedo was free at the far post and poked a shot past a flat-footed Edouard Mendy.
The intensity was suddenly at fever pitch and Senegal restored their lead three minutes later when Gueye's cross rebounded off Torres' shoulder. Koulibaly was first to react and hammered an unstoppable volley past Galindez. ■
Bamba Dieng (R) of Senegal competes during the Group A match between Ecuador and Senegal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Nov. 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)
Kalidou Koulibaly (C) of Senegal heads the ball during the Group A match between Ecuador and Senegal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Nov. 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)
Abdou Diallo (Front) of Senegal reacts during the Group A match between Ecuador and Senegal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Nov. 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)
Hernan Galindez (1st R), goalkeeper of Ecuador, failed to save the penalty shot during the Group A match between Ecuador and Senegal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Nov. 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)
Boulaye Dia (L) of Senegal vies with Felix Torres of Ecuador during the Group A match between Ecuador and Senegal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Nov. 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
