FIFA World Cup 2022: Group A- Cody Gakpo shines for Netherlands, captain Kalidou Koulibaly takes Senegal into Round of 16

FIFA World Cup 2022 (Image source: Twitter)

Tuesday brought about two games in Group A with high stakes. Netherlands went against hosts Qatar for a chance to qualification for the next round at FIFA World Cup. They took their chances and so did Senegal who downed Ecuador in a high-intensity game.

Netherland vs Qatar

The Netherlands came into their final group match as the toppers. With 4 points in 2 matches, the European team just needed a draw to make a safe entry to the Round of 16. Led by the experienced Virgil van Dijk, Netherlands started with a strong lineup against the hosts Qatar who were winless at the FIFA World Cup 2022.

The gulf in class between the two sides was apparent from the word get-go as the Netherlands controlled the game and took the lead in the 26th minute with a Cody Gakpo goal. In the 49th minute, Barcelona midfielder Frankie de Jong doubled the lead after putting a rebound into the goal.

Netherlands controlled the game and came up with a 2-0 win over Qatar to become the first team to go into the Round of 16.

Ecuador vs Senegal

The other match from Group A came up with much more stake than the first one. Ecuador came into the game with 4 points and needed at least a draw to get into the Round of 16. Senegal however looked like the more motivated team as they took the lead in the 44th minute with an Ismaila Sarr penalty.

Moises Caicedo leveled the scoring in the 67th minute making the whole stadium go wild, but the euphoria was short-lived. Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly reinstated the lead again in just 2 minutes with a close strike in the 70th minute.

The Africa Nations Cup champions defended for all their lives and saw through the pressure from Ecuador and ended the game 1-2 to become the second team to qualify for the Round of 16.