DOHA, 26 Nov 2022:
Senegal secured a 3-1 victory over Qatar yesterday as the World Cup hosts bagged a consolation goal, their first of the competition so far.
A defensive gaffe from Qatar gifted a chance to Boulaye Dia, who was happy to slot the ball away to get the West African team on the scoreboard just before half-time.
Famara Diedhuou doubled Senegal’s lead with a glancing header from a corner early in the second half.
Qatar, who have lost all their games so far in the World Cup, clawed one back through Mohammed Muntari with an impressive header past Chelsea keeper Édouard Mendy in the 78th minute.
But it was too little too late for the host nation as Bamba Dieng sealed the three points for Senegal just six minutes later.
Enner Valencia resuscitated Ecuador’s dream of advancing at World Cup 2022 by scoring an equaliser against the Netherlands in the other Group A match.
While the Orange had 55% possession, they were outshot 15-2 and won only two corners to Ecuador’s five.
A mistake in midfield by Moises Caicedo allowed Davy Klaassen to deliver a great cross to Cory Gakpo and the PSV Eindhoven striker put the Orange ahead with his second goal of the tournament.
The Ecuador captain won a corner in first-half stoppage time and Pervis Estupiñan steered the second kick past Noppert, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Ecuador carried their momentum into the second half and Valencia brought them level in the 49th minute.
The result leaves the Dutch and the Ecuadorians level on points, 4, and goal difference, 2, as they look forward to their respective final group stage matches against already eliminated Qatar and Senegal, who have 3 points.
Meanwhile, Iran scored two stoppage time goals to clinch a dramatic victory over Gareth Bale’s Wales in an emotionally-charged Group B encounter.
Rouzbeh Cheshmi’s screamer from outside the box in the 8th minute of injury time looked to have sealed victory for Iran but Ramin Rezaeian made it certain when he dinked a chip over substitute goalkeeper Danny Ward just minutes later.
Defeat was written across the face of Bales’ Wales as Iran put their 6-2 grubbing at the hands of England behind them to earn a deserved win.
Things turned south for an uninspired Welsh team in the 86th minute when goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey charged out of his box and clattered into Mehdi Taremi, who could have been through on goal. The reckless challenges earned Hennessey the first red card of the Qatar World cup following a VAR review.
Ward came on for Aaron Ramsey as Wales were reduced to 10 men for the remainder of the match.
Departing from their silent protest, Iran’s players could be seen singing – or muttering – the national anthem ahead of the Wales match, although camera footage of fans in the crowd at Al-Rayyan Stadium showed that many were brought to tears.
Before the England match on Monday, Iran’s team did not sing the anthem in order to draw attention to the unrest and protests that have gripped the Islamic Republic in recent months following the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini.
Nine added minutes were all Iran needed to put an end to the game and climb into second place in Group B. Wales now sit bottom of Group B having drawn with the USA and lost to Iran.
The more than 68,000 people who streamed into Al Bayt Stadium for the showdown between England and the US – the marquee match of the first week of World Cup 2022 – watched the two sides combine for a grand total of four shots on target and zero goals.
England remain the leaders in Group B with 4 points and a goal difference of four, followed by Iran with 3 points, the US with 2 and Wales, who have a single point.
Barring the unlikely event of a loss to Wales in the final group stage match, England are set to advance to the round of 16, while the US must defeat Iran next Tuesday to advance.
England’s performance yesterday in Al Khor was uncomfortably reminiscent of the run of poor form last summer that resulted in their being relegated from the top tier of the UEFA Nations League and boos rang out from the English supporters in the stands.
– EFE