Senegal defeated Ecuador 2-1 on Tuesday at the Khalifa International Stadium to advance to the round of 16 of the World Cup. Players become emotional at the end of the game. Winger Ismaila Sarr scored a first-half penalty and captain Kalidou Koulibaly added a second.
Sarr successfully converted his own-goal penalty in the 44th minute. But Ecuador, who only needed a draw to advance to the knockout stages, equalized through Moises Caicedo.
The South Americans’ happiness only lasted three minutes, as Koulibaly restored emotional Senegal’s lead. And lessened their sorrow from losing to Japan in the round of 16 four years prior.
With six points from three games, the African champions place second in Group A. One point behind the group winners the Netherlands. Two points ahead of Ecuador, whose tournament had high hopes but ended in disappointment.
Though they were beaten on the night and may have asserted themselves more in the first half. Ecuador’s players collapsed to the ground in tears after the final whistle.
Senegal dedicated their victory to the late midfielder Papa Bouba Diop, who scored the game-winning goal in their shocking 1-0 victory over France in 2002 at the age of 42.
Koulibaly said, “This is for the family of Papa Bouba Diop.” “We wanted to honor him and make him proud. I used to dream because of him.”
Coach Aliou Cisse of Senegal believes that his team’s triumph in the Africa Cup of Nations final earlier this year in Cameroon has prepared his players for contests like this.