Senegal stunned Ecuador out of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar after a 2-1 win at the Khalifa International Stadium, thanks to Chelsea defender – Koulibaly who sealed the win.

Before this match, both sides had a chance to advance to the round of 16.

Ecuador needed to avoid defeat today to advance to the next stage after easily defeating Qatar and playing out a draw with the Netherlands in their previous outings.

FT: Ecuador 1-2 Senegal

🇸🇳 44' Sarr
🇪🇨 67' Caicedo
🇸🇳 70' Koulibaly

Senegal needed a win to qualify for the knockouts, and they have done just that.

They qualify for the #FIFAWorldCup knockouts for the first time since 2002. #ECUSEN pic.twitter.com/v9ZqTV2rlo

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 29, 2022

Senegal, meanwhile, emerged victorious against the hosts 3-1 after losing their first game. They needed a must win to progress, and went all out to secure the vital three points.

Senegal led Ecuador 1-0 at halftime thanks to Sarr’s penalty; the African team had been pushing for a goal from the opening whistle.

Idrissa Gueye and Ndiaye both missed opportunities for Senegal before Hincapie’s late foul on Sarr resulted in a penalty kick. The ensuing spot-kick was taken by him, and he calmly placed it into the goal.

Caicedo scored Ecuador’s equalizer 22 minutes into the second half to get his team back into the contest.

Plata delivered a great corner kick and Torres rose highest to flick it on in the middle of the crowded box. Caicedo was left unmarked at the far post and he slots it into the back of the net.

🇪🇨 Ecuador 1 – 2 Senegal 🇸🇳

FULL-TIME: Senegal win and make the knockout round for the first time in 20 years!

They are deservedly into the last 16. They outplayed Ecuador in every department today.

⚽ LIVE #ECUSEN match blog: https://t.co/5xInaaXvu9 pic.twitter.com/2aAwzBD2WQ

— AJE Sport (@AJE_Sport) November 29, 2022

Three minutes later, Senegal reclaimed the lead once more. Idrissa Gueye took the free kick he had just won and swing in beautiful shot into the box.

It landed on Torres’ shoulder and went straight to Koulibaly, who was unmarked and the Chelsea defender made no mistake as he fired a stunning volley past the goalkeeper – Galindez.

FT: Netherlands 2-0 Qatar

🇳🇱 26' Gakpo
🇳🇱 49' De Jong

Qatar finish their debut #FIFAWorldCup campaign with zero points and a solitary goal.#NED cruise into the knockouts and will play the runners-up in Group B.#NEDQAT pic.twitter.com/NJNINbxj0a

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 29, 2022

Koulibaly’s goal proved to be the winner as Senegal held on to the slim lead until final whistle to celebrate the huge victory.

Senegal have become the first African country to progress to the Round of 16 in the 2022 FIFA World Cup following their 2-1 win over Ecuador.

𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕? 𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒙!