The Teranga Lions have qualified for the first knockout stage of the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup as they defeated Ecuador in a thrilling 2-1 match, which has booked the African team a place in the World Cup’s round of 16.

Ecuador and Senegal kicked-off  their group A match at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, as the first attack came from Senegal’s Idrissa Gueye played a good ball from the left aiming for a shot from inside the Ecuador box but missed the target. 

Ismalia Sarr from Senegal converted a penalty to a goal in the 44 minute after being bundled over in the box by Piero Hincapie and gave Senegal a 1-0 lead in the second half. 

After the break, Ecuador desperately searched for way back into the game, and they equalised on 68-minutes when Felix Torres’ near post flick-on was met by Moises Caicedo, who tapped into a practically empty net.

This placed emphasis back on Senegal to find a goal, and within seconds they were back ahead as Kalidou Koulibaly volleyed home from close range after Idrissa Gueye’s free-kick was not cleared.

This will be the first time that Senegal have claimed back-to-back World Cup victories and the third time to have reached the knockout stage in the World Cup. 

Senegal will face England in the round-of-16 on Sunday.