Senegal strikers Boulaye Dia, Famara Diedhiou and Bamba Dieng all scored to secure a deserved 3-1 victory over Qatar and leave the host nation on the brink of elimination following their World Cup Group A clash.
After Friday’s match at at Al Thumama Stadium, Senegal have three points from their two games and meet Ecuador in a final pool clash on Tuesday.
Qatar still have no points and will be out of the tournament if Netherlands beat Ecuador or that match ends in a draw later on Friday.
Qatar can have few complaints – it took them until the 63rd minute of their second match to register a shot on target, when Almoez Ali forced a fine save from Edouard Mendy.
By then they were already two goals down.
A howler from Boualem Khoukhi allowed Dia to net the opener four minutes before the break. The defender got the ball caught under his feet as he tried to clear and Dia slotted home.
Diedhiou headed in a second from a corner and Dieng made sure of the win late on.
Qatar scored their first ever World Cup goal with 12 minutes left as Ghana-born striker Mohammed Muntari headed in powerfully from Ismail Mohamad’s cross.
But it was a rare moment of celebration for the home supporters.
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