Izuchukwu OkosiSenegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly scored a second-half winner as the Teranga Lions beat South Americans Ecuador 2-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium to finish second in Group A and book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup.
Watford forward Ismaila Sarr had put the African champions ahead from the penalty spot just before the break but Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo equalised in the 68th minute.
Senegal, though, were soon back in front when captain Koulibaly fired the ball home following a free-kick to send his side into the knockout stage – and a potential showdown with England who will top Group B if they overcome Wales Tuesday night.
Former West Ham and Everton striker Enner Valencia – scorer of three goals in the first two games – shook off an ankle problem to start for Ecuador, who would have qualified with a draw.
Chelsea defender Koulibaly had a chance to play for France and possibly win the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia but he chose to represent the country of his parents rather than where he was born.
“I don’t have any regrets because I want to write the story of the future of Senegal football and I hope I’ll be able to do that,” he told the BBC in 2018 after France’s historic World Cup triumph.
Senegal began their 2022 World Cup campaign on a shaky note with a defeat to Netherlands but beat hosts Qatar 3-1 in their second Group A match.
Ecuador would have advanced to the round of 16 had they been able to find an equaliser.
Senegal have been without inspirational captain Sadio Mane who was ruled out eventually out of the tournament due to injury despite being named to the 26-man squad.
Other African representatives in the tournament, Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Cameroon all have the chance to qualify to the knockout stages.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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