FIFA WORLD CUP; Senegal beats Qatar, 3-1 defeat

In FIFA World Cup’s 92-year history the first host to lose its opening match. Qatar suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Senegal and is all but out of the 22nd edition of the tournament. Senegal, who now has three points in two games, will meet Ecuador in a final pool clash on Tuesday, while Qatar still has no points and will be out of the tournament.

If the Netherlands beat Ecuador or that match ends in a draw later on Friday. In the Group A match at the Al Thumami Stadium, Senegal took a lead in the first half via Boulaye Dia, who pounced onto Boualem Khoukhi’s poor clearance to make it 1-0. The hosts would be denied a first-half penalty shout when Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr appeared to bundle over playmaker Akram Afif just before halftime. The 2022 Africa Cup of Nations champions made it 2-0 three minutes into the second half as Famara Diedhiou converted from a corner.