2022 World Cup: Netherlands and Senegal progress into the Round of 16

(Football news) As many might have predicted before the 2022 World Cup kicked off, the Netherlands and Senegal secured qualification into the Round of 16 after winning their final Group A matches. Louis Van Gaal’s side defeated hosts Qatar 2-0 at the Al Bayt Stadium with Cody Gakpo continuing his fine form in the tournament while Frenkie De Jong scored the second in the 49th minute.

As for Senegal, Kalidou Koulibaly was the unlikely scorer in the 70th minute as the African team overcame Ecuador 2-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium to finish second in Group A. The result means that the Netherlands will now take on USA, who finished runners-up in Group B while Senegal will take on England in their next match. Qatar, who lost all three Group Stage games are now the first and only hosts of a World Cup to not secure a single point in the tournament.

“I’m not going to expand on it because I think you have a different opinion of football. Why don’t you write that you think it is terribly boring and you are going home tomorrow because you couldn’t care less? That’s your opinion but I don’t think your opinion is the correct opinion. I think everyone would be rather proud that we are progressing to the next round. I think things are not as bad as you say they are.”
Netherlands manager Louis Van Gaal

As for Senegal, the African side progressed into the Round of 16 of a World Cup for the first time in 20 years, largely due to their impressive first half performance against Ecuador. The South American side only needed a point to progress and it certainly looked like they might succeed when Moises Caicedo scored the equaliser in the 67th minute but ended up conceding another goal just two minutes later when Koulibaly scored a fantastic volleyed winner. Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy had little to do as Senegal, despite the absence of Sadio Mane finished second in the group.

Group A