Koulibaly scores second-half winner against Ecuador as Senegal secure last-16 spot

African nation overtake South Americans to finish as Group A runners-up

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  Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal in the 2-1 Group A win against Ecuador at Khalifa International Stadium on November 29, 2022, in Doha. Getty

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  Ismaila Sarr celebrates his penalty with teammates. AFP

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  Ismaila Sarr celebrates scoring his team's first goal. AFP

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  Ismaila Sarr celebrates with teammates. AFP

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  Moises Caicedo of Ecuador celebrates after levelling at 1-1. EPA

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  Moises Caicedo celebrates with teammates after scoring. AP

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  Ecuador's Moises Caicedo celebrates. Reuters

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  Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly celebrates scoring the winner. AP

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  Kalidou Koulibaly celebrates scoring their second goal. Reuters

Kalidou Koulibaly scored a second-half winner as Senegal beat Ecuador 2-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium to finish second in Group A and book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup.

Watford forward Ismaila Sarr kept his cool to slot in a penalty spot just before half-time, but Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo equalised in the 68th minute.

Senegal, though, were soon back in front when captain Koulibaly fired the ball home following a free-kick to send his side into the knockout stage – and a potential showdown with England.

Former West Ham and Everton striker Enner Valencia – scorer of three goals in the first two games – shook off an ankle problem to start for Ecuador, who would have qualified with a draw.

Senegal, the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champions, had a great chance inside the opening two minutes when the ball ran through the penalty area to Idrissa Gueye, but the Everton midfielder dragged his shot wide.

Youssouf Sabaly then played Boulaye Dia into the right side of the box, but his low, angled shot went across the face of goal and past the far post before Sarr cut in from the left and curled a shot wide of the top corner.

Qatar 1 Senegal 3 - in pictures

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  Famara Diedhiou celebrates after scoring Senegal's second goal in their 3-1 win over Qatar in the World Cup Group A match at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, on November 25, 2022. AFP

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  Bamba Dieng scores Senegal's third goal. Reuters

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  Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy makes a save. EPA

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  Qatar goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham is beaten by the grounded Famara Diedhiou's header that put Senegal two up. AFP

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  Qatar's Ismail Mohama after a missed chance in the second half. Getty

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  Famara Diedhiou's header hits the back of the net to make it 2-0 to Senegal. AP

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  Famara Diedhiou is chased by Senegal teammates after scoring their second goal. Getty

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  Mohammed Muntari heads home for Qatar to make it 2-1. Getty

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  Senegal's Boulaye Dia scores in the first half. AFP

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  Senegal's Boulaye Dia past Qatar goalkeeeper Meshaal Barsham. Reuters

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  Senegal's Boulaye Dia celebrates with teammate Nampalys Mendy after scoring. AFP

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  A shot flied just wide of Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy's goal. Reuters

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  Senegal's Ismaila Sarr after barging over Akram Afif, but no penalty was given. AFP

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  Qatar's Akram Afif appeals for a penalty. AFP

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  Qatar's Akram Afif and Hassan Al-Haydos appeal for a penalty with Spanish referee Antonio Mateu. AFP

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  Qatar goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham attempts to clear the ball. AFP

Senegal, who beat hosts Qatar after losing their opening group match against the Netherlands, were awarded a penalty just before half-time when Piero Hincapie collided with Sarr.

The Hornets frontman got up to take the spot-kick himself and calmly rolled the ball past Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez.

Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro looked to make a positive change for the second half as he sent on both Jose Cifuentes and Brighton winger Jeremy Sarmiento.

After seeing lots more possession, Ecuador equalised in the 68th minute when Brighton midfielder Caicedo lashed the ball in from close range following a corner.

Senegal, though, were soon back in front from a set-piece of their own with 20 minutes left.

Chelsea defender Koulibaly arrived at the far post to fire home his first international goal when a deep free-kick had been knocked back across the six-yard box.

Ecuador went on the offensive again as Aliou Cisse’s men sat back to protect their lead.

While Ecuador pushed forward, they looked vulnerable on the counter, with Dia firing just wide as the Lions of Teranga held out for a memorable victory to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in 20 years.