Senegal defeated Ecuador 2-1 on Tuesday to become the first African country to qualify for the round of 16 of a FIFA World Cup since 2014.
Senegal took the lead in the 44th minute when Ismaila Sarr converted a penalty, but Ecuador equalized in the 67th minute when Moises Caicedo scored. Three minutes later, however, a header from Kalidou Koulibaly restored Senegal’s lead, which it managed to keep until the final whistle.
Senegal, the African champion, finished second in Group A, behind the Netherlands, with two wins and a loss. Senegal will face the Group B winner in the round of 16.
Senegal was eliminated from the World Cup in Russia four years ago in heartbreaking fashion, becoming the first team to be eliminated based on disciplinary record after finishing joint-second with Japan in the group stage on points, goal difference, goals scored, and head-to-head record.
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Senegal made its World Cup debut in 2002, defeating defending champion France 1-0 in its first group match. It eventually fell to Turkey 0-1 in the quarterfinals of the event, which was co-hosted by South Korea and Japan. Interestingly, the current national team coach, Aliou Cisse, was a member of the 2002 squad.
The African nation, nicknamed ‘Lions of Teranga,’ had to wait for 16 years before it finally managed to qualify for its second World Cup in 2018.
