Kalidou Koulibaly scored a winner to help Senegal produce one of the narrow World Cup scores of the weekend action. Only two minutes had passed since Moises Caicedo had brought Ecuador level from a corner in order for the South Americans to advance in their position before the Chelsea defender’s magnificent volleyed winner. The African team thoroughly deserved to advance from their World Cup group for the first time in 20 years, thanks in large part to a performance that completely destroyed Ecuador in the first half. Ecuador entered the game knowing they only needed a point to advance. Senegal’s superiority didn’t become evident until the last second of the first half when Ismaila Sarr beat Hernan Galindez from 12 yards after being fouled in the area.
Idrissa Gueye missed a great early chance for Senegal when Sarr took advantage of Ecuador’s aggressive full-backs and sprinted in behind along the flank due to a shockingly gung-ho game plan. Senegal might have taken a 2-0 lead with less than 10 minutes remaining, but Boulaye Dia missed a clear-cut opportunity to score after Ecuador failed to clear their lines. The South Americans eventually regained their composure, but they still fell down just before halftime as Sarr outstripped Felix Torres and was hauled down by Piero Hincapie, who was left holding his head as the Watford winger scored emphatically from 12 yards after stealing in front of Torres.
At the break, Ecuador made two substitutions, and with a much-needed change in composition, the team eventually started to dictate the game’s tempo. When Caicedo stooped to turn in Torres’ flick from a corner, it still took them over 25 minutes to break down a resolute Senegal backline. They wasted no time in abandoning their qualifications after waiting so long to do so. Koulibaly would be more accustomed to using his head than his feet to attack a free-kick, but when Gueye’s ball was nodded down to him, he finished with ease before Galindez was even aware of it.
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