Qatar’s World Cup lasted two days. After investing, they say, close to 200,000 million euros in the organization of the championship, the Qatari team is practically eliminated. To the initial defeat against Ecuador (0-2) has just been added the one harvested against Senegal by 1-3. He has the match with the Netherlands and a minimal and mathematical option. He would need to beat the Dutch and trust in a carom of results. Except for a miracle, the Asian team is already a mere spectator at their World Cup. It was the first host team to lose the opening match in the history of this tournament and is virtually the first to fall in this edition.
At the Al Thumama stadium, the Asian champion and the African champion were measured. Qatar and Senegal. Two such different corners. Qatar, for example, is the world leader in per capita carbon dioxide emissions: 46 times more than Senegal. Two worlds. Also in soccer. The Senegalese are, in many cases, French children of emigration who have found their place in top-level teams such as Chelsea, Everton, Monaco, Olympique de Marseille, Betis, Villarreal… Qatar is full of nationalized. So far, the talent import system has not worked for him.
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Qatar
Barsham; Pedro Miguel (Jaoua, 81), Ismaeel, Khoukhi, Hassan, Haman; Al Haydos (Muntari, 78), Boudiaf (Hatem, 69), Assim Madibo; Ali, Afif. -
Senegal
Mendy; Sabaly, Diallo, Koulibaly, Jacobs (Abou, 74); Mendy, Gueye, Diatta (Ciss, 64); Sarr, Boulaye Dia, Diedhiou (Dieng, 74). -
goals
0-1, m. 41:Boulaye Dia. 0-2, m.48. Dieddieu. 1-2, m.78: Muntari. 1-3, m. 84: Dieng. -
Referee
Mateu Lahoz (ESP). Yellows to Mohamad, Dia, Homan, Jakobs, Ciss and Madibo.
Félix Sánchez, his coach, decided to modify the defense and change the goalkeeper to play against Senegal. He managed to contain the Africans until in the 41st minute of the first half Khoukhi slipped trying to clear on the edge of the box and left the ball dribbling for Boulaye Dia to execute the Barsham goalkeeper. The match between the two continental champions –they had both lost on the opening day– opted for that mistake. Although he could have done it earlier with several actions by the doubtful Barsham that made the Qatari fans’ hair stand on end under the turban.
The best, almost unique, local occasion in the first period was a possible penalty on their star, Afif. Mateu Lahoz, who was debuting in his second World Cup, did not see it that way. Early in the second half, Senegal made it 0-2 from a short corner that Diedhieu’s springy neck converted into a goal. Qatar, already almost eliminated, got rid of the pressure and the complexes and started to play. The Africans, on the other hand, broke down. Mendy, the Chelsea goalkeeper, neutralized a couple of local shots, but could not do anything before Muntari’s header, who signed the first Qatari goal in a World Cup (1-2).
Hope revived the stands, which were already beginning to empty. Though it didn’t last. Too many defensive mistakes by Qatar. Bamba Dieng’s 1-3 draw six minutes later definitively buried the hostess in her desert, who is virtually the first eliminated. Senegal is still alive. If they beat Ecuador in the remaining game, they will be in the next phase.
