Captain Koulibaly sends Senegal into last 16 as Ecuador exit World Cup
Full Time: Ecuador 1 Senegal 2
17:59 CET: Heartbreak for Ecuador, joy for Senegal as the Africa Cup of Nations champions are through to the last 16 for the second time in their history. They had to win this match against their South American opponents, and a first half penalty from Ismaila Sarr followed by a winner from their leader Kalidou Koulibaly has propelled them through Group A. They will face the winner of Group B on Sunday evening.
For Ecuador, they fall just short, as they were unable to make late pressure pay with chances. They will feel hard done by after their opening two performances, but, in truth the best team went through.
Here are the match stats from this dramatic game. Overall, despite lower possession, Senegal were a bigger threat in front of goal and deserved their two goals.
Read our full report, written by Tom Pritchard, if you missed any of the game and join us later as we round up Group B. Before then, catch up with what happened in the other game between the Netherlands and Qatar with our commentary.
Second Half
96': Wave after wave from Ecuador, but still nothing doing for the South Americans.
95': Crosses continue to fly in to the Senegal box and still the defence resists. A late change from the leaders, as Boulaye Dia - escorted off the pitch by Ecuador, is replaced by defender Pape Abou Cisse.
Full time as the Netherlands beat Qatar 2-0, all eyes turn to this game.
93': Hope - a corner, which Mendy palms behind for another one. Galindez can barely watch from his goal. Nothing doing as Senegal get it clear again.
92': Ecuador forward but Senegal are not allowing them through. It's getting desperate now.
90': Six minutes of added time!
89': Time running out for Ecuador. Senegal have a shot saved by Galindez as Ecuador send everyone forward in a wave, but they can't break through.
85': Porozo Vernaza is coming on for Ecuador as they desperately seek an equaliser. He comes on for Angelo Preciado.
83': Boulaye Dia, who has not really been in the game since the break, rifles a shot just past the near post for Senegal. That would have probably been curtains for Ecuador had that gone in.
81': Despite needing a goal to stay in the World Cup, Ecuador have been unable to carve out anything in the last five minutes or so. Time is running out on their World Cup dreams. Remember, Senegal have only reached the knockout rounds once back in 2002.
76': A good chance falls to Gonzalo Plata as the Ecuador winger, gets the ball into a shooting opportunity in the middle of the area, but the effort is tame and easy for Edouard Mendy.
74': Both players seem ok and are back on - Senegal do make two changes though as Pathe Ciss and Iliman Ndiaye are off for Nampalys Mendy and Bamba Dieng.
72': OUCH! A big clash of heads between Pervis Estupinan and Youssouf Salaby that requires attention. A moment to breathe for everyone else after a chaotic two minutes. The power of the World Cup at this stage of the tournament is like nothing else.
70': KOULIBALY!! WHAT DRAMA! SENEGAL BACK IN FRONT!
A free kick is played to the back post, it drops to Kalidou Koulibaly and his finish is emphatic, rifling home a volley to give his side the lead and the spot in the last 16. A quite incredible two minutes of action.
68': GOAL!! Moises Caicedo has levelled it for Ecuador!
A corner from the right is flicked on by Felix Torres and Caicedo is there to tap home from close range. Now, the pressure is all back on Senegal with 20 minutes remaining.
66': We have our first booking of the game as Idrissa Gueye cuts across an Ecuador player to hand them a free kick.
64': Michael Estrada is off for Djorkaeff Reasco as Ecuador look for that vital equaliser.
63': A foul on Ismaila Sarr brings a welcome free kick to Senegal. However it is dealt with by Ecuador, who look ready to make their third substitution of the game.
A quick update from Netherlands v Qatar: After an hour here, it's fair to say that the Netherlands looks pretty comfortable with 66 per cent of the ball and a two-goal lead. They haven't been quite at their best but they do look a lot more confident and coherent than in their first two matches where they really struggled to get going. The Qataris should look at the next half hour for what it is - a final 30 minutes in this World Cup to express themselves.
57': Michael Estrada stoops low for Ecuador but can only head wide as we approach the hour mark. The roles have reversed from the first half with Senegal going into their shell trying to protect their one-goal lead.
52': A few brighter moments in possession for Ecuador at the start of the half, but they are yet to test Eduoard Mendy in the Senegal goal.
Bad news for Qatar as Frenkie De Jong slides home the Netherlands' second of the game just a few minutes into the second half. It looks like the hosts will end their tournament with a whimper.
48': They also have an early free kick, which Senegal deal well with, but already Ecuador are doing their best to get forward in numbers.
46': Two changes at the break for the South Americans as they try to find a way back into this game and save their World Cup. Alan Franco and Carlos Gruezo are both off for Jeremy Sarmiento and Jose Charcopa.
46': Back under way as Senegal lead this pivotal Group A clash against Ecuador by one goal.
Half Time
16:58 CET: In the other game in Group A, Netherlands are leading 1-0 over Qatar - here is a first half update from Pat Dempsey, who is watching the game for Flashscore: The Netherlands have dominated the first period and deserve their lead going into halftime, Cody Gakpo breaking the deadlock with a superb strike. Despite struggling to hang onto the ball, the Qataris have shown some signs of life with moments of good possession and a few attempts on goal. They'll be hoping they can catch the Dutch napping in the second half.
16:56 CET: Our Momentum graphic perfectly illustrates a first half dominated by the Senegalese.
16:52 CET: Senegal lead at the break through Ismaila Sarr's penalty and it was richly deserved after their attacking play. He, Idrissa Gueye and Boulaye Dia all had chances before the goal on the stroke of half time. Right now, Senegal would go through if this scoreline remains the same, meaning Ecuador need to do something they could not do throughout the opening 45 minutes - get a shot on goal.
First Half
49': What do we have here then? A scuffle breaks out as Enner Valencia tangles with Sabaly on the Ecuador goal line. Other players jump in but it quickly settled and no cards are given out by the referee.
47': But it is Senegal back on the attack trying to add to their lead and Ndiaye shows great footword to take the ball down and get it on to his left foot, but the winger's shot is weak and scurries out for a corner.
46': Six minutes to be added on at the end of the half and Ecuador must come out and attack now. This scoreline sets up a thrilling second half.
44': SIMPLY DONE FROM THE SPOT! SENEGAL LEAD 1-0!
Sarr to take and he slides it into the bottom right corner to give Senegal the lead and as things stand, a place in the last 16. A goal they deserve.
42': PENALTY TO SENEGAL! Hincapie brings down Sarr and it's an easy decision for the referee. A golden chance for Senegal!
37': A Ciss header from a free-kick is the next chance for Sengal to go close. They have been knocking on the door throughout the first half.
34': According to the possession stats, Ecuador have had the majority, but they are yet to have a shot on target. In the last few minutes, they have got on the ball more, but their play is slow compared to Senegal. They nearly get Ismaila Sarr in around the back, but Galindez does just enough to win the race.
29': The goal in that game from Gakpo does little to change the complexion of the group. As ever, the Senegal fans are creating a superb atmosphere.
In the other game in Group A, Cody Gakpo has given the lead to the Netherlands in the 26th minute against Qatar.
23': He is back on and looking fine at right back for Ecuador. Although he is beaten to the ball by Ismaila Sarr, and he tries to curl one into the top corner but misses the target by a matter of inches. It brings a corner to Senegal which Galindez can eventually claim.
21': In our game, Angelo Preciado is down and receiving treatment as his Ecuador manager seems to be telling his players to calm down amid the early Senegal storm.
We are live across both games this afternoon and here is an update from Pat Dempsey, who is watching Netherlands v Qatar for us: The early stages have been dominated by the Netherlands in both possession and chances. They have breached the Qatari penalty area a few times but they have yet to trouble the goalkeeper. Memphis Depay had the best chance of the game but could only blaze his shot over. The dutch look a lot better than in their first two matches with the addition of Depay making a difference already. Follow this game with the link above.
18': Corner now for Senegal to be taken by Ismail Jakobs, but the Ecuador keeper comes out to claim it. It springs a breakaway for Ecuador, but Senegal recover well to win the ball back.
15': A tough opening for Ecuador, who seem caught between the idea of getting forward to put the pressure on Senegal and sitting back to solidify the draw that would send them through. So far they have done neither - some tactical tweaks are needed it seems.
11': From that free kick, Senegal spring forward and Ndiaye is involved again, whipping in a lovely cross that beats his onrushing teammates by centrimetres.
10': Finally something for Ecuador but Enner Valencia's free kick from 20 metres can only find the wall.
8': It's all Senegal - this time Boulaye Dia does get in behind, but drags his shot past the far post. Frustration on his face and he knows it was a great opportunity to put his side into the lead. Ecuador struggling to contain so far.
6': Senegal have started with real purpose here - Boulaye Dia nearly gets in behind from a Illiman Ndiaye cross, but it is snuffed out.
3': Idrissa Gueye, you have to score! The Senegalese midfielder finds so much space in the box and works a shooting chance from close range bur fires wide. A massive chance gone to waste early in the piece.
1': Here we go then, this has the feel of an early knockout game - let's see if the football matches up.
Pre-match
15:54 CET: Time for the anthems.
15:48 CET: Twelve minutes to go then before we find out who will be playing at the weekend in the round of 16 from Group A. In this game, Ecuador are in the driving seat, knowing just a point will see them through. The job for Senegal is simple - win and it will be them into the next round. There is an incredibly unlikely situation where this game could be a draw and Qatar pull off a big, shock win to eliminate the Netherlands, however, given their recent results it feels like miracles would need to happen.
Team News
Ecuador's veteran striker Enner Valencia has recovered sufficiently from a knee strain to make it into Gustavo Alfaro's starting lineup on Tuesday against Senegal in a boost to the South Americans' chances of qualifying from World Cup Group A.
Valencia, the 33-year-old captain, has scored three goals in Ecuador's good start to the tournament - one win and a draw - but left the field injured towards the end of both games.
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse bolstered his midfield with the inclusion of Pathe Ciss in place of striker Famara Diedhiou, leaving Boulaye Dia as the lone centre forward at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.
With defensive midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate still out injured, Ciss adds steel. Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr provide width to an attack without Sadio Mane, whose injury absence in Qatar has been a massive blow to their last-16 chances.
Ecuador: Hernan Galindez, Pervis Estupinan, Piero Hincapie, Felix Torres, Angelo Preciado, Carlos Gruezo, Moises Caicedo, Alan Franco, Enner Valencia, Michael Estrada, Gonzalo Plata
Senegal: Edouard Mendy, Abdou Diallo, Ismail Jakobs, Kalidou Koulibaly, Youssouf Sabaly, Pape Gueye, Pathe Ciss, Ismaila Sarr, Idrissa Gueye, Iliman Ndiaye, Boulaye Dia
Introduction
After both sides picked up wins against Qatar, Senegal and Ecuador know if they grab all three points, they will be through to the second round and are likely to play the winners of Group B.
Both sides have no new injury concerns ahead of their last group game - if you don't want to miss any of the action, listen in to our live audio commentary from 16:55 CET, with kick off five minutes later.