DOHA: Hosts Qatar suffered their second successive defeat at the FIFA World Cup, losing to African champions Senegal 3-1 at the Al Thumama Stadium.

The Netherlands and Ecuador played to a 1-1 draw in yesterday’s second Group A matchup at the Khalifa International Stadium, eliminating the home team with one game remaining.

Following South Africa in 2010, the defending Asian champions are just the second host team to be eliminated in the group stage of a World Cup.

Regardless of the outcome of their final World Cup game, the hosts cannot progress.

Qatar performed better than they did in their initial match against Ecuador, but they fell short of what Sanchez expected in the crucial game.

In the first half, the hosts displayed some sloppiness and nervousness, and Senegal scored the game’s first goal thanks to a clearance error by Boualem Khoukhi inside the penalty area. Boulaye Dia took advantage of poor defending to score the game’s first goal past goalie Meshaal Barsham in the 41st minute.

In the 35th minute, the home team protested for a penalty after Sarr challenged Afif in the area, but referee Antonio Lahoz rejected the appeal and only awarded a goal-kick.

Bassam Hisham, Abdulaziz Hatem, and Ismaeel Mohammad were replaced in the starting lineup for Qatar by Assim Madibo and Bassam Mohammad, respectively.

Famara Diedhiou’s header past Barsham three minutes after the break gave Senegal a two-goal advantage.

The hosts put up their best showing of the contest with a fantastic header in the 78th minute by substitute Mohammed Muntari, who became the first player to score for Qatar in a World Cup final.

The goal put Qatar back in the game and got most of the 41,797 maroon-clad spectators on their feet, but Bamba Dieng’s 84th goal put the game beyond Qatar’s reach.

Qatar pushed hard after giving up their second goal, but Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy stopped Almoez Ali, and Ismaeel’s chances before Muntari’s outstanding header found the back of the net. While Dieng’s goal following a quick play sealed Senegal’s first victory, Abdelkarim Hassan also attempted to score from a distance, but his shots missed the mark.

At the final whistle, Qatar was greeted with cheers from a supportive audience, hoping for a strong closing showing against the Netherlands.

Source: Qatar Football Association