Ecuador and Senegal will meet on Tuesday at the Khalifa International Stadium with the chance to progress to the round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Both teams have their destiny in their hands. A win for either side will see them into the next phase. A draw would only be enough for Ecuador to assure their progression to the next round.
🔥 ¡Nuestra Selección Histórica ya se prepara por su tercer partido de la @fifaworldcup_es!#FIFAWorldCup#HaremosHistoria🇪🇨 pic.twitter.com/50RbPKjYk7— La Tri 🇪🇨 (@LaTri) November 26, 2022
🔥 ¡Nuestra Selección Histórica ya se prepara por su tercer partido de la @fifaworldcup_es!#FIFAWorldCup#HaremosHistoria🇪🇨 pic.twitter.com/50RbPKjYk7
Senegal would need Qatar to defeat the Netherlands and wipe out the Netherlands’ goal advantage.
Ecuador started the World Cup with a 2-0 win against Qatar. On matchday No 2 of Group A, Ecuador came from behind to draw 1-1 with the Netherlands to set themselves up for progression.
Senegal fell 2-0 to the Dutch on matchday No 1 of the group stage. The Lions of Teranga didn’t have enough firepower in attack to get the needed goals to win the game.
Senegal followed up the defeat with an easy 3-1 win against Qatar to set up Tuesday’s playoff with Ecuador.
Ecuador have been in good for this year with a record of 3W-8D-1L. La Tri’s biggest issue in 2022 has been draws, as they failed to turn them into wins. However, a draw on Tuesday would see Ecuador in the next round.
La Tri’s defence has been excellent this year. Eleven of their 12 matches in 2022 finished with under 2.5 goals.
Ecuador’s only match to finish with more than 2.5 goals was a 3-1 loss to Paraguay. It was La Tri’s only defeat.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup is just the fourth time Ecuador reached the tournament’s finals. Ecuador’s best finish at a World Cup was in 2006 in Germany, when they reached the last 16.
Senegal are the reigning Africa Cup of Nations winner. They have played well in 2022, but are at the World Cup without star player Sadio Mane. Mane was ruled out with a leg injury ahead of the tournament.
The Lions of Teranga have a record of 9W-6D-3L in 2022. The team is on a good run of form, but their World Cup campaign could end on Tuesday.
Ecuador’s Enner Valencia leads the World Cup in scoring (along with Kylian Mbappe) with three goals after two games. He will hope to keep an unlikely bid for the Golden Boot alive against Senegal.
Senegal and Ecuador met once previously in 2002 with the former defeating the latter 1-0. Ecuador’s defence is playing well this year and should hold the Lions of Teranga to a draw. The result will see Ecuador into the last 16 and Senegal on their way home.