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Qatar tribune

Agencies

Doha

Qatar are on the brink of World Cup elimination as Senegal recorded Africa’s first win in the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Al Thumama Stadium on Friday, picking up three points to move a step closer to the knockout stages.

Mohammed Muntari scored the lone goal for Qatar — their first and only goal so far in the tournament — in response to strikes from Boulaye Dia, Famara Diedhiou, and Ahmadou Dieng for Senegal.

The opening-night nerves were nowhere to be seen as Qatar quickly got to grips with Senegal. They should have had a penalty when Ismaila Sarr bundled over Akram Afif, but Spanish referee Antonio Mateu waved away their pleas and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) did not intervene.

With Qatar defending well, it was going to take either a moment of magic or a catastrophic mistake for Senegal to break the deadlock, and unfortunately for Qatar defender Boualem Khoukhi, it turned out to be the latter.

His attempt to clear a routine low pass into the box by Krepin Diatta went wrong as he went to the ground without making proper contact with the ball.

Khoukhi's fluffed effort allowed Dia to pounce, and the 26-year-old striker needed no second invitation to rattle the ball in at the near post to give Senegal the lead.

Famara Diedhou doubled Senegal's advantage in the second half with a brilliant glancing header from an Ismail Jakobs corner in the 48th minute.

Muntari reduced the deficit in the 78th with a bullet header from Ismail Mohamad's cross but Senegal substitute Bamba Dieng swept home his side's third to consign Qatar to the bottom of Group A with no points, while their group rivals all have three.

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25/11/2022
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