- Tuesday’s Group A encounter took place at the Khalifa International Stadium.
- FIFA ranking: Senegal (18), Ecuador (44).
Senegal XI: Mendy, Sabaly, Koulibaly, Jakobs, Diallo, Ciss, Pape Gueye, Ndiaye, Gueye, Sarr, Dia.
Ecuador XI: Galindez, Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan, Franco, Gruezo, Caicedo, Plata, Estrada, Valencia
Kick-off
We are under way as Ecuador get the ball moving.
1 min: Senegal 0-0 Ecuador
The African champions need to win to qualify for the last 16 and they have started the game quickly, generating several good chances to score.
For Ecuador, avoiding defeat will be enough to progress to the knockout phase.
Galindez punches clear
Galindez needs to be alert as Jakobs swings in a corner. The goalkeeper deals with it, punching the ball to safety.
Ecuador immediately launch a counterattack but the move breaks down and the South American side are penalised for a foul.
18 mins: Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
Ecuador captain Enner Valencia will be key for the South Americans tonight, having scored all three of his side’s goals in the tournament so far.
The 33-year-old forward was carried off late in Ecuador’s draw with the Netherlands on Friday with a recurrence of a knee strain but has bounced back in time for this winner-takes-all clash.
Ecuador look more compact
Ecuador haven’t created many chances, but they are now looking a bit more comfortable in defence as the game progresses. Senegal’s attackers are not finding as much space as they were in the early minutes.
31 mins: Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
Senegal on the attack, but they need goals
The Lions of Teranga have played decently, but they need a win. They have had eight shots but none on target. Anything other than a win will see the Senegalese head home after this game.
40 mins: Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
Penalty!
Penalty to Senegal after Hincapie wipes out Ismaila Sarr. It was a clear penalty.
42 mins: Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
GOAL
Senegal take the lead. Ismaila Sarr picks himself up to take the penalty. He pauses, staggers his run-up and calmly strokes the ball low to the goalkeeper’s left. Galindez doesn’t move, and Senegal are ahead just before half-time.
44 mins: Ecuador 0-1 Senegal
Senegal dominated the first half, taking 10 shots and dwarfing the two attempts made by Ecuador.
The South Americans will need to do much more in the next 45 minutes to get back into the game. But they can take hope from the fact that a draw will be enough to see them through to the knockout phase.
Six minutes of added time
There will be six minutes of first-half stoppage time.
45+1 mins: Ecuador 0-1 Senegal
Half-time: Ecuador 0-1 Senegal
Sarr’s penalty separates the teams at the break. The Lions of Teranga fully deserve their 1-0 lead. They have played with far greater intensity than their opponents and created a few good chances early in the half.
RELATED:
As things stand, Senegal are on track to progress to the knockout stages and Ecuador will be eliminated. The South American side need to find a goal from somewhere.
Second half under way
Peeeeep. The referee blows the whistle and Senegal get the ball moving.
Ecuador made a double change at the break as they go in search of an equaliser. Sarmiento and Cifuentes are on for Franco and Gruezo.
46 mins: Ecuador 0-1 Senegal
Ecuador have their first attempt in ages
Ecuador have their first attempt since the 10th minute. Jose Cifuentes hits a tame effort and Formose Mendy makes an easy save.
49 mins: Ecuador 0-1 Senegal
Improvement from Ecuador
Cifuentes has added energy to the Ecuador attack since coming on. Senegal are sitting off and playing less aggressively than they were before the break. Ecuador are showing more urgency as they search for a crucial equaliser.
52 mins: Ecuador 0-1 Senegal
RELATED:VIDEO FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 All Goals Round 1 – WC Highlights 2022
Senegal sitting off
Senegal are sitting deep. Ecuador are controlling possession, but they have yet to create a significant chance.
55 mins: Ecuador 0-1 Senegal
GOAL
Caicedo scores for Ecuador.
The ball is flicked on from a corner and the Brighton midfielder is all alone at the back post for an easy tap in. Ecuador are level and they are going through to the knockout stages as things stand.
67 mins: Ecuador 1-1 Senegal
GOAL
Wow. Koulibaly scores for Senegal to restore their lead!
The Chelsea defender shows the composure of a striker as an indirect free-kick reaches him in the penalty box. He guides the ball on the volley into the net.
There were less than three minutes between the two goals. Senegal are now back in second place in Group A.
70 mins: Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
Senegal composed
Senegal look composed as they keep hold of the ball in the Ecuador half.
The South Americans are running out of time to find an equaliser.
80 mins: Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
Ecuador make a late change
Jackson Porozo is on for Preciado.
85 mins: Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
Six minutes added on
There will be six minutes of second-half stoppage time. Ecuador need to find a goal soon or their World Cup campaign will end.
90 mins: Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
RELATED:VIDEO Day 10 World Cup Predictions & Betting Tips
Cool goalkeeping from Mendy
Plata whips in a corner. Mendy flicks it out of play. The second corner is headed away from danger by Senegal.
90+3 mins: Ecuador 1-2 Senegal
Match over
Senegal win 2-1.
They are deservedly into the last 16. They outplayed Ecuador in every department today.
Full time: Ecuador 1-2 Senegal