The 2022 FIFA World Cup host, Qatar could be leaving the competition sooner than their fans expected after they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Senegal on Friday.
They lost 2-0 to Ecuador in the opening day of the tournament. As for Senegal, they bounced back from an opening day defeat to Netherlands to put themselves back on cause and record the first win for an African representative in the competition.
With Boulaye Dia and Famara Diedhiou having put Senegal in control, Qatar had hope when Mohammed Muntari scored their first World Cup goal.
However, it was too little too late for the hosts, with substitute Bamba Dieng rounding off Senegal’s victory six minutes from time.
Qatar’s hopes were dealt a further blow three minutes into the second half – Diedhiou turning in Ismail Jakobs’ inswinging corner.
Senegal had Mendy to thank for two excellent stops as Qatar searched for a goal back, the Chelsea goalkeeper brilliantly denying Almoez Ali and Ismaeel Mohammad.
Muntari’s superb header four minutes after coming on set up a grandstand finish, yet Dieng swept home to strike the decisive blow and leave Qatar on the brink.
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In other news, Wales lost 2-0 to Iran at the commencement of the second group game matches of the World Cup tournament in Qatar on Friday morning.
Stoppage-time goals from Roozbeh Cheshmi and Ramin Rezaeian saw Iran take advantage of goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey’s red card, posting their first win over European opposition at the World Cup (W1 D2 L7).
Wales, meanwhile, must now beat England in Tuesday’s final group-stage game to have any chance of extending their first World Cup campaign since 1958, and Bale knows they face an uphill task.
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