Kalidou Koulibaly gives Senegal the round of 16. Netherlands first in the group

Ecuador – Senegal 1-2 and Netherlands – Qatar 2-0 in the last two matches of Group A

Great emotions at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, where Ecuador and Senegal played for access to the round of 16 within a Group A that, on its last day, saw the Netherlands engaged in an easy confrontation with hosts Qatar. It was a match without history between the Oranje and the Asians, which Van Gaal’s lineup made theirs 2-0 with one goal per half. The usual Cody Gapko unlocked the result in the 26th minute, while Frenkie de Jong put the match on ice in the 49th minute.

Of a completely different tune was the match between the South Americans and Africans, with the latter obliged to win to overtake the ‘Tricolor’ in the standings. Mission accomplished, with a few too many fumbles, thanks to Kalidou Koulibaly’s winning kick in the 70th minute, which fixed the score at the final 1-2 after Ecuador’s momentary equalizer signed by Moises Caicedo in the 68th minute.

Late in the first half, Senegal had taken the lead thanks to a penalty kick coolly converted by IsmaIla Sarr. Thus ended Group A, which saw the Netherlands move on as first in the grouping, with the winning team of the last African Cup of Nations second.