Qatar got their first ever World Cup goal but it wasn’t enough as the Teranga Lions of Senegal roared to a 3-1 victory at the Al Thumama stadium.
The host nation have now lost their first two games and with a game against the Netherlands to come, they might become the first ever World Cup hosts to lose all three group games. Mohammed Muntari scored the historic goal for the Qataris to a deafening roar from the home fans.
Senegal began the game on the front foot and took a deserved lead in the 41st minute when Boulaye Dia scored following a rare error from the Qatar defence. Early in the second half, the Lions added a second with a glancing header from Famara Diedhiou. Qatar pulled one back when Muntari scored but all hopes of a comeback was dashed just six minutes later when Bamba Dieng added a third for Senegal.
This win marked Africa’s first win at this year’s tournament and Senegal’s fourth in World Cup history.
Qatar are now looking to Ecuador to keep their hopes alive. A win or a draw for Netherlands against Ecuador, who beat Qatar in the tournament’s opening game, later today will see the Qataris become the first side mathematically eliminated from the competition.
The Qatar players were applauded by their fans at the final whistle, but some hit the deck in regret knowing their prospects of reaching the knockout stage are all but over.
