World Cup: Qatar on the brink of World Cup exit with heads held high

BARRING a shock Netherlands loss to Ecuador later tonight (Friday), host nation Qatar effectively bowed out of the World Cup after a 3-1 defeat to Senegal.

However, they did not capitulate and left the field with pride, albeit with no points to show for dogged determination that at least saw them score the first ever World Cup goal for their country.

And they may well have had more had it not been for the presence of Mendy in the Senegal goals as the Chelsea man made a couple of strong saves.

Just after the hour mark, Qatar had a shout for a penalty but Afif was deemed to have cut in front of Ismaila Sarr to force the foul and the ref never fell for it.

Opinion was divided, and had the pen been given, many would have felt it justified.

With five minutes of the half left, Senegal capitalised on a mistake as Qatar failed to clear their lines, leaving Bullaye Dia to pounce and finish emphatically.

The 1-0 half-time score line was a fair reflection of the game to that point.

The lead was doubled early on the return as a Famara Diedhiou header from the corner was perfectly timed and angled towards the far top corner (2-0).

Qatar desperately upped the pace and pushed bodies forward but could not capitalise on a free kick as it pin-balled off players and was cleared.

On the hour mark, an Almoez Ali shot was tipped wide by Mendy, who again showed his class soon after with a remarkable reflex save from an unmarked Mohammad in the six-yard box.

Qatar were at last rewarded for their endeavours when substitute Mohammed Muntari headed home powerfully (2-1).

Pouring men forward for the equaliser, Qatar left space at the back where a cool Bamba Dieng was waiting and his shot easily beat Meshaal (3-1).

There was to be no white flag raised and Abdelkarim Hassan smacked a pearler just wide from a free kick variation.

But 3-1 is how it ended and, barring a mathematical chance of progress, Qatar will have exited the World Cup with one game still to be played.