Senegal resurrected their Group A campaign by defeating Qatar, despite Mohammed Muntari scoring his country’s first World Cup goal.
After yet another dismal performance, the hosts are on the verge of quitting their own World Cup, with Senegal claiming Africa’s first victory of the 2022 event.
Qatar made three substitutions, including goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham, the younger brother of reigning world and Olympic high jump champion Mutaz Essa Barshim, who was lucky to see Famara Diedhiou’s early header land wide after being beaten to a corner.
Idrissa Gueye fired just wide as Senegal looked the more likely to score first, although Qatar were denied a penalty at the other end after Akram Afif went down under a challenge.
Two goals either side of halftime put the African champions in control. A defensive mistake provided the first as Boualem Khoukhi took a huge swing at Krepin Diatta’s cross, lost his footing and presented the ball to Boulaye Dia, who slotted past Barsham.
Three minutes into the second half, Diedhiou met Ismail Jakobs’ right-wing corner with a clever header at the near post.
The hosts responded with purpose, Abdelkarim Hassan flashing a swerving shot wide before Almoez Ali was denied by Edouard Mendy’s fingertips, with what was Qatar’s first shot on target of the entire tournament.
Three minutes into the second half, Diedhiou met Ismail Jakobs’ right-wing corner with a clever header at the near post.
The hosts responded with purpose, Abdelkarim Hassan flashing a swerving shot wide before Almoez Ali was denied by Edouard Mendy’s fingertips, with what was Qatar’s first shot on target of the entire tournament.
A second effort followed shortly afterwards, Senegal goalkeeper Mendy producing an even better stop to claw away Ismaeel Mohammad’s effort from close range.
Just as the hosts appeared to be losing momentum, substitute Muntari made history by meeting Mohammad’s perfect cross from the right with a powerful downward header to restore home hopes.
Four minutes later, one of Senegal’s replacements, Iliman Ndiaye, surged down the right and pulled the ball back for Bamba Dieng to swoop in and eventually secure the triumph.
