The Dutch advanced to the round of 16 from first place in Group A. The Qataris became the first team from the host country in the history of the world championships not to score a single point in their home tournament. Cody Gakpo put the favorites ahead at Chúr Stadium in the 26th minute with his third goal of the World Cup, and Frenkie de Jong added to the score early in the second half.
Coach Louis van Gaal’s men have not lost in 18 straight games. In Saturday’s round of 16, the Netherlands will play the second team from Group B. The Qataris had no chance to advance before today’s duel.
Substitute Berghuis’ third goal of the match was disallowed after the video referee intervened due to handball by Gakpo early in the play. The Qataris could have dramatized the duel with their second goal of the tournament, but substitute Muntarí’s effort was parried by goalkeeper Noppert. Berghuis didn’t even see the goal in the set-up when he hit the crossbar.
Montage of the Ecuador – Senegal World Cup matchvideo: Czech television
The Senegalese are in the round of 16 of the championship for the second time in twenty years. In the Group A match in Doha, Ismaila Sarr gave the Africans the lead in the 44th minute with a penalty kick. Moisés Calcedo equalized after the change of sides, but just two minutes later captain Kalidou Koulibaly gave Senegal the lead with his first international goal.
The Africans finished in second place in the standings and on Sunday they will play the winner of group B, i.e. with one of the three formed by England, Iran and the USA, which will be determined by tonight’s matches.
In their first World Cup in 2002, Senegal progressed to the quarterfinals. Their current coach Aliou Cissé was in the captaincy role and now has the chance to at least repeat that.
Only a heavy defeat against Wales by four goals or more and at the same time a victory for the United States or Iran can prevent England from progressing. The reigning European runners-up, after an early 6-2 win against Iran, parted ways with the United States without scoring.
After a 1-1 draw with the USA, Wales lost to Iran 0-2. Therefore, they have to beat England and hope for a US draw with Iran. Wales must win by at least four wickets to win back-to-back, which they have never achieved.
In their sixth participation in the tournament, Iran are aiming for their first progress to the round of 16. After the victory over Wales he is second, the Americans lose him a point. Iran need a win and possibly a draw if Wales fail to beat England to qualify for the knockout stages.
The US team advanced from the group during their last two World Cup participations (2010 and 2014). Iran are unbeaten in the two games so far. At the 1998 World Championship, they lost to him 1:2, and two years later they drew 1:1 with him in preparation. The Americans need a victory to advance.
In addition to the direct clash for the round of 16, the match is also spicy because the two countries have not maintained diplomatic relations since 1980 and there is great political rivalry between them.
| Final table of group A | |||||||
| 1. | Netherlands | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5:1 | 7 |
| 2. | Senegal | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5:4 | 6 |
| 3. | Ecuador | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4:3 | 4 |
| 4. | Train | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1:7 | 0 |
