Qatar dropped out of the World Cup after Senegal’s victory

Posted on by Inkoom Esther

Senegal faced Qatar in a World Cup match at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. Senegal won 1-3 despite their efforts. As a result, Qatar dropped out of the biggest competition.

Goals either side of half-time from Boulaye Dia and Famara Diedhiou gave Senegal the lead before Qatari substitute Mohamed Muntari responding with a dramatic 78th-minute finish. Senegal substitute Bamba Dieng scored six minutes later to put the result beyond doubt and lift the African champions, who opened with a 2-0 loss to the Netherlands, right back into contention in Group A.

The defeat left bottom side Qatar sweating on results elsewhere if they are to avoid following South Africa in 2010 as only the second World Cup hosts to bow out after the first round. Their elimination would be confirmed if Ecuador fail to beat the Netherlands later in the day, and would make Qatar the first World Cup hosts to go out after two games. Qatar started the tournament on a nervous note with a 2-0 loss to Ecuador and again looked shaky against Senegal.

 The Asian champions left their goalkeeper Saad Al-Sheeb on the bench after a shaky performance in the opener. His replacement, Meshaal Barsham, did not inspire much confidence from the start and shot from around the corner when Senegal looked to take the lead.

 Ismaila Sarr and Nampalys Mendy missed Senegal’s chances at this point, while Idrissa Gana Gueye and Youssouf Sabali lost more during the first half.

Qatar spent much of the first 45 minutes on the back foot, but a rare run forward pissed off Akram Afif, who did not earn a penalty after being tackled by Sarr.

Senegal seemed ready to go into the first half without breaking Qatar’s resistance only after the hosts conceded a goal in the 41st minute. Qatari defender Boualem Koukhi allowed Dia to go past Barsham after stepping on a loose ball. Senegal doubled their lead shortly after the break when Diedhiou headed from a corner at the near post.

 Qatar became more ambitious from two goals down and Afif was involved  in it all. Almoez Ali forced a fingertip save out of Senegal goalkeeper Eduoard Mendy and the Chelsea player once again saved the African team from Isamil Mohamad. Mendy was tied to his lane as Muntari brought the hosts back into play  with a powerful cross .

 The goal spurred the crowd on and Qatar looked for another goal, but Dieng scored Senegal’s third  goal in the 84th minute.

 Abdelkarim Hassan fired a free kick from the post, Qatar tried to score, but Senegal sealed the win.

Magical Richarlison ensures Brazil beat Serbia in World Cup opener

Posted on by Inkoom Esther

Richarlison scored a bicycle kick goal against Serbia.

Brazil lived up to supporters’ expectations. Tite’s team were considered favourites for the World Cup title by many people and they proved it in their debut in Qatar. Against a Serbia side that defended well throughout the match, Richarlison’s goals were enough to give the ‘Selecao’ all three points.

Brazil means Jogo Bonito. Tite’s side proved to have one of the best attacks of the World Cup, as despite facing a Serbia side that defended incredibly well, the ‘Selecao’ managed to take all three points in a game that could have ended in a goal fest. Despite Casemiro hitting the post twice, Richarlison made the most of his two chances to sink Serbia’s hopes and score one of the best goals of the World Cup so far.

 

Spain sink Costa Rica with a 7-0 victory.

Posted on by Inkoom Esther
Dani Olmo opened the scoring gate against Costa Rica

Luis Enrique’s Spain side sailed to an easy victory over a feeble and out-of-place Costa Rica team. This victory leaves ‘La Roja’ top of Group E on goal difference after improving upon Japan’s earlier result.

Spain dominated in the first half which saw them cruise to a deserved three goal lead. Dani Olmo opened his and Spain’s account for this World Cup after a wonderful move, leaving him the easy job of slotting it past Navas.

 Asensio was next to add to the tally, as he calmly slotted home off a Jordi Alba cross. Alba then aided for the third, as he was fouled in the penalty area, leaving Ferran Torres the simplest of tasks of converting the spot-kick.

The second half brought much of the same, with the Europeans dominating start to finish. There were three more goals to be had in the half, with Torres adding to his collection, and then Gavi getting Spain’s deserved fifth. Soler then added the sixth after some sloppy keeping from Navas, before Morata deservedly getting on the score-sheet.

This win leaves Spain top of Group E, level with Japan on points, but ahead on goal difference. They await Germany in their next game which promises to be a mouth-watering tie, with the Germans desperately needing a win. Costa Rica find themselves bottom, with Japan to play next.