Ecuador vs Senegal – World Cup 2022: Live score, team news and updates

Ecuador 0-1 Senegal LIVE: Ismaila Sarr puts the Champions of Africa ahead with a coolly-taken penalty minutes before the break… knowing victory could hand them last-16 tie vs England

Follow Sportsmail’s live blog for the World Cup Group A clash between Ecuador and Senegal.  

Host commentator

There’s been another goal for the Netherlands with Frenkie de Jong netting to all but secure their position as table-toppers.

Ecuador have switched it up to a 4-2-4 formation with Sarmiento and Plata wide and Estrada and Valencia in the middle.

A long-range shot from Caicedo is straight at Mendy – it’s all on this game now.

A double change from Ecuador as Franco and Greuzo are off for Cifuentes and Sarmiento.

An attacking couple of changes and we’re back underway.

At half-time, the Netherlands and Senegal would be the ones going through into the last 16.

Second place in this group will face England (if they can finish top) but it could all still change.

A huge 45 minutes ahead…

Calm and composed from the spot for the Watford man!

"SENEGAL STAND TALL" ??

Ismaïla Sarr with a no-look penalty in such an important game! ?#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/YvKlglGd2m

And the referee blows his whistle to bring an end to an entertaining first half.

It was a chaotic first 15 minutes as Ecuador adopted a real gung-ho approach before they reigned it in and regained some control.

However, Senegal kept pushing and broke the deadlock after Hincapie clumsily barged Sarr out the way.

The Watford man stepped up and cooly slotted home to put Senegal on course for the last 16.

Ecuador need to be better in the second half…

Valencia guides the ball out for a goal kick and there’s a flashpoint and a lot of pushing and shoving.

But it’s nothing… Sabaly was pushed by Valencia and he caught the forward very lightly – the former West Ham man was rolling around but the referee deals with it and doesn’t book anybody – good decision.

As we head into six minutes of added time, Senegal nearly score again.

Some good play from Senegal results in Ndiaye cutting inside, before his shot is blocked and its another corner.

Gueye whips in the corner but it’s cleared. Ecuador had been sitting in before that goal and already look a bit more aggressive.

A calm penalty – what a moment for Sarr.

He staggers his run-up and then sends Galindez the wrong way – ice cool from the Watford man.

They deserve that goal and it was so clumsy from Hincapie who can have no complaints.

Preciado sliced his clearance and Sarr used his pace to get in behind, before Hincapie absolutely clattered into him – stonewall penalty and this won’t be overturned despite a VAR check.

Good play from Sarr and it looks like he is stepping up.

Senegal are having a nice spell here and showing some urgency.

Sabaly is almost in at right-back but Hincapie gets a foot in – he’s a good outlet on the right for the Teranga Lions.

Caicedo is down after a sharp challenge with Gueye but after a short pause, he’s OK to continue.

The game has quietened down somewhat and there’s a flow developing as Ecuador are beginning to pass it around and staying patient.

Senegal nearly get in with a nice ball over the top from Gueye but Galindez is out quickly to smother.

Ecuador seem to have learnt from their rather gung-ho approach in the first 10 minutes.

Ciss then heads over after a nice floated ball from Jakobs – the Senegal left-back is delivering some impressive set pieces here.

It was a big chance for Boulaye Dia earlier and he badly dragged his shot wide – the Senegal forward should really have finished that.

Still 0-0 with 30 minutes on the clock.

He's dragged it wide! ?

Boulaye Dia with the best chance for Senegal so far…#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/ZbHBlZtDN5

There’s been a goal in the other game in Group A as Cody Gakpo has scored again.

That puts Louis van Gaal’s side on course for the top of this group and means Senegal really do need to win as they can’t really on a favour from Qatar who would have to win by three clear goals.

A draw will still do for Ecuador but they must better the Dutch side’s result to top the group.

Sarr wins the ball well off Precaido before he cuts inside but Torres does well to get a knick on the shot as it goes out for a corner.

Galindez punches the corner away before Diallo’s header is collected by the Ecuador stopper.

This game is still end-to-end with both sides continuing to throw men forward, although Ecuador were a bit less gung-ho on their last attack.

Idrissa Gueye won a corner after some great work with the Everton man playing in an unfamiliar No.10 role.

Preciado is down for Ecuador after being fouled by Sarr but he’s walking and hopefully he’ll be OK to carry on.

It’s been a breathless start with both sides going for it.

The biggest chance fell to Idrissa Gana Gueye who blazed wide from a good position.

More pressure from Senegal. 

Some good play for Sabaly and Sarr and the ball comes to Ndiaye, who cuts inside and his left footed shot is just wide.

Enner Valencia has just lined up a free-kick from 40 yards such is his confidence.

His shot is blocked, as is his follow-up which Senegal then deal with.

Ndiaye is in down the other end and Preciado clears for a corner – what a start.

Another big chance for Senegal here.

Gueye plays a neat ball through for Dia and bearing down on goal he drags his shot wide. 

Sheffield United man Iliman Ndiaye is highly-rated and has been tearing up the Championship so far this year.

This is his first start of the tournament after an impressive cameo against Qatar and we’ve seen an early bit of skill here as he takes it past Hincapie before his cross is cleared.

A promising start from the Bladesman.

Despite needing just a point to progress here, Ecuador have perhaps surprisingly switched up from a back 3/5 to a flat back four.

Etupinan and Preciado are bursting up the wings early still leaving Ecuador looking extremely exposed early on here.

Gruezo is the only sitting midfielder here – a real gung-ho appraoch from Gustavo Alfaro – there is so much space for Senegal.

A huge chance for Idrissa Gana Gueye.

The ball is played in by Diallo and it comes all the way through to Gueye, but he fires his effort into the side netting – a big chance for the Afircan side.

Ecuador gets us underway – we nearly missed the 10 second countdown there but all is well.

Here we go…

Ecuador: (4-3-3): Galindez; Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan; Franco, Gruezo, Caicedo; Plata, Estrada, Valencia

Senegal: (4-2-3-1): Mendy; Sabaly, Koulibaly, Jakobs, Diallo; Ciss, Gueye; Ndiaye, Gueye, Sarr; Dia

The players are out on the pitch and are singing their national anthems ahead of kick off.

African champions Senegal must beat Ecuador to progress, or draw and hope Qatar beat Holland by three goals – which is highly improbable.

For Ecuador, a draw will see them qualify, and bettering Holland’s result will see them clinch top spot. 

Whoever comes second in this group are likely to face England (if they win their group)!

Both the Ecuador and Senegal fans are making themselves heard in the Khalifa International Stadium.

There are some great outfits on display from both sets of supporters too.

A rather bizarre moment on the pitch before kick off as Ecuador’s Djorkaeff Reasco met with  former French star Youri Djorkaeff.

The Djorkaeff’s posed for a few photos and shared a few words together.

This might only be the South American side’s fourth-ever World Cup, but it could be the second time they reach the knockout rounds.

Back in Germany in 2006, they qualified from their group but were stopped in their tracks by England and David Beckham, whose free-kick denied them a quarter-final spot.

Remember that England fans?

Both sides are out and warming up ahead of kick off.

Just over 30 minutes to go until we get going at the Khalifa International Stadium.

Gustavo Alfaro took charge of Ecuador’s national team in 2020 and guided them to a fourth place finish in the South American qualification standings. Therefore, they were automatically awarded a place at the World Cup in Qatar. 

Alfaro has previously managed the likes of Boca Juniors, Tigre and Al-Ahli. 

He is doing a fantastic job so far in Qatar considering the last time Ecuador played in the showpiece tournament was in 2014. 

Just four days ago Enner Valencia was stretchered off against the Netherlands, in a huge worry for Ecuador.

However, he it fit to start in a remarkable recovery from the former West Ham and Everton man.

With three goals, he’s currently the joint top-scorer at the World Cup with Kylian Mbappe and his country need him to continue his fine form today.

VALENCIA STARTS!

Huge news for the South American side and an amazing recovery after being stretchered off against the Netherlands last week.

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? @FootballSenegal
? Estadio Internacional Jalifa
? Fecha # 3
? 10h00 (ECU)
? #FIFAWorldCup #HaremosHistoria?? pic.twitter.com/bjjVyyTn6n

And there’s a start for Sheffield United star Iliman Ndiaye.

What a story for the former Boreham Wood youth product who’s career continues to go from strength-to-strength.

Elsewhere there are starts for Premier League based players Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Watford’s Ismaila Sarr.

Injuries continue to haunt the Teranga Lions with Famara Diedhiou and Cheikhou Kouyaté both missing.

Le onze de départ | ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/SfbmX6sOxk

Like every other World Cup, some of the best bits of this tournament in Qatar have been the fans from all over the world coming out in their thousands to support their nations.

Have a look below at some of the Senegal and Ecuador supporters who have already arrived at the Khalifa International Stadium – we really are in for a spectacular atmopshere!

Enner Valencia has scored Ecuador’s last six World Cup goals – and it means that he joins a select group of players to have scored so many consecutively for their nation on the biggest stage.

Eusebio was the first, netting for Portugal in 1966, before Italian Paolo Rossi and Russian Oleg Salenko also achieved the feat in 1982 and 1994 respectively, as revealed by Opta.

Valencia scored all three of Ecuador’s goals in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup, and the South American side failed to qualify for the tournament four years ago.

READ THE FULL STORY BELOW

Senegal’s squad have fully-arrived ahead of kick off.

You can also have a sneak peak inside their dressing room below…

As we wait for team news, the key news will be whether Enner Valencia is fit enough to start for Ecuador.

The former West Ham and Everton forward has been sensational in Qatar so far, scoring three goals in two games – meaning he is joint top scorer at the World Cup.

However, after scoring again against the Netherlands, he was stretchered off in a huge worry for Gustavo Alfaro’s side.

The Senegal stars are starting to arrive too, with Kalidou Koulibaly pictured walking through the Khalifa International Stadium.

Today’s venue looks picture-perfect ahead of kick off.

The atmosphere is building ahead of kick off in just over 90 minutes.

Both sets are fans are known for bringing the noise and they look in the mood for this huge Group A clash.

Ecuador’s place at the 2022 World Cup came under threat after the lost their first two games.

However, they pulled things back by beating Chile and Paraguay before drawing to Argentina and Brazil. 

As a result, they finished in fourth place, ahead of Peru in fifth, and the likes of Colombia, Chile and Paraguay.  

EXCLUSIVE: In other World Cup news, Cristiano Ronaldo did not get a touch on the ball for Portugal’s opener in the 2-0 win over Uruguay, according to ‘highly accurate’ data taken from a sensor inside the match ball.

Debate has swirled over whether Ronaldo, who claimed the goal for himself and even texted Piers Morgan to confirm it, managed to apply the faintest of touches to Bruno Fernandes’ cross.

FIFA awarded the goal to Fernandes, but the talismanic striker is convinced he should have been given it. Now, Adidas have provided clear evidence that the striker’s former Man United team-mate was rightly credited. 

CLICK BELOW TO READ MORE

African qualification for the World Cup is notoriously hard but Senegal made it through. 

The 10 winners of the groups in the initial stage were paired in five, two-legged knockout ties with Senegal drawing Egypt. 

After Senegal wiped out Egypt’s 1-0 lead from the first leg, the tie inevitably went to penalties with Sadio Mane slamming home the crucial spot kick to prompt ugly scenes within the stands in Dakar. 

This was the second penalty shootout victory over Egypt in two months after the earlier AFCON final win.

The former Birmingham and Portsmouth man has been in charge of his national team since 2015 and it’s been an emotional rollercoaster under enormous pressure to return Senegal to the heights of the 2002 team, who reached the World Cup quarter-finals.

They didn’t make it out of the group stage in Russia in 2018 and were then beaten finalists in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. There was finally cause for celebration earlier this year when Senegal lifted their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations.

Now Cisse is targeting improvement on the global stage and it’s in their hands.

After dumping the hosts out of the tournament courtesy of a 3-1 win on Friday, Senegal boss Aliou Cisse insisted his side can go all the way in Qatar!

He’ll be hoping that confidence translates into his side’s performance against Ecuador today.

There are plenty of confusing permutations today with three of the four teams in Group A still able to qualify for the last-16.

Ecuador need to win or draw against Senegal but they could qualify on goal difference if they lose and Qatar beat the Netherlands.

Senegal will qualify if they beat Ecuador. They could also qualify on goal difference if they draw against Ecuador and the hosts beat Louis van Gaal’s side.

Elsewhere, the Netherlands need to just avoid defeat to qualify.

Netherlands can also still qualify even if they lose to the already-eliminated hosts, providing Ecuador beat Senegal.

There are the usual four games in total today, but the staggered kick off times have been replaced by two set times due to the World Cup now entering the final round of group stage matches.

Group A will be concluded from 3pm (GMT), before the final round of Group B fixtures get underway at 7pm (GMT).

3pm – Ecuador vs Senegal – Group A

3pm – Netherlands vs Qatar – Group A

7pm – England vs Wales – Group B

7pm – USA vs Iran – Group B 

Ecuador vs Senegal will be held at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Doha.

The stadium has a capacity of 45,416 and is hosting eight games at the tournament – including the third-place play-off.

This stadium is unique as it is the only one being used at this World Cup that hasn’t been specifically built for the tournament.

The Khalifa International Stadium was built in 1976 and redeveloped in 2017. It has hosted several large sporting events including the World Athletics Championships and the FIFA Club World Cup final in 2019.

It is also the only stadium from the tournament that won’t be partially or fully dismantled following the World Cup. 

Senegal are severely hamstrung after losing Sadio Mane, but still possess quality in both attack and defence.

The Chelsea pairing of Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly provide stability in defence along with Abdou Diallo.

In attack, Watford forward Ismaila Sarr is the main man and brings quality with Boulaye Dia, Famara Diédhiou and Bamba Dieng

Goalkeepers: Seny Dieng, Alfred Gomis, Edouard Mendy

Defenders: Pape Abou Cisse, Fode Ballo-Toure, Abdou Diallo, Ismail Jakobs, Kalidou Koulibaly, Formose Mendy, Youssouf Sabaly

Midfielders: Pathe Ciss, Krepin Diatta, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Gueye, Cheikhou Kouyate, Pape Matar Sarr, Mamadou Loum, Nampalys Mendy, Moustapha Name

Forwards: Boulaye Dia, Famara Diédhiou, Bamba Dieng, Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaila Sarr

Ecuador’s dangerman is former West Ham and Everton striker Enner Valencia, who is the current joint top scorer in the whole World Cup with three goals – sitting level with Kylian Mbappe.

They also have a trio of Brighton players in Moises Caicedo, Jeremy Sarmiento and Pervis Estupinan.

Estupinan and Caicedo have impressed so far in the tournament, while Sarmiento, who is only 20, has featured off the bench in both games so far.

Goalkeepers: Alexander Dominguez, Hernan Galindez, Moises Ramirez.

Defenders: Pervis Estupinan, Angelo Preciado, Piero Hincapie, Xavier Arreaga, Diego Palacios, Jackson Porozo, Robert Arboleda, Felix Torres, William Pacho.

Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Jose Cifuentes, Alan Franco, Jhegson Mendez, Carlos Gruezo, Gonzalo Plata, Angel Mena, Ayrton Preciado, Romario Ibarra, Jeremy Sarmiento.

Forwards: Enner Valencia, Michael Estrada, Djorkaeff Reasco, Kevin Rodriguez.

In what was heartbreaking news for the Lions of Teranga, talisman and best player Sadio Mane was ruled out on the eve of the tournament.

Aliou Cisse’s side then struggled to create any big chances against the Netherlands before two late mistakes from Edouard Mendy meant they went down 2-0.

They bounced back against Qatar however, as they romped home 3-1 winners over the hosts.

You can catch up on their two games below.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=J8yk1RtUYTk%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26hl%3Den-US
https://youtube.com/watch?v=zYA7JlCh52c%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26hl%3Den-US

Ecuador have been extremely impressive in Qatar having missed out on the 2018 tournament.

They swept the hosts aside in the curtain-raiser for the World Cup, before giving the Netherlands a huge scare on Friday.

The game against Louis van Gaal’s side finished 1-1, but Ecuador hit the bar and were perhaps unlucky to have a goal disallowed.

You can catch up on their two games below.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ohLdtwv-4Ug%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26hl%3Den-US
https://youtube.com/watch?v=ptVv4TFgI_g%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26hl%3Den-US

It’s a crunch day in Group A as all four sides face their final round of fixtures.

Both games kick off at 3pm (GMT), with Netherlands taking on already-eliminated Qatar along with this clash between Ecuador and Senegal.

The Netherlands and Ecuador currently occupy the top two spots in the group after they won their opening games, before drawing 1-1 with each other on Friday.

Meanwhile, Senegal are one point and one place behind after losing to the Netherlands before beating Qatar 3-1 last time out.

The hosts were the first side to be eliminated from the tournament after losing their opening two fixtures.

And welcome to Sportsmail’s live coverage of Ecuador vs Senegal in Group A.

Stay with us for all the build-up, team news and live updates from this crucial clash in Qatar.

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