Senegal win leaves Qatar on the brink of early exit
World Cup host Qatar is staring down the barrel of an early exit from the tournament after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Senegal.
Beaten 2-0 by Ecuador in its opening Group A match, a late push at Al Thumama Stadium was not enough for Qatar to claim a much-needed result.
With Boulaye Dia and Famara Diedhiou having put Senegal in control, Qatar had hope when Mohammed Muntari scored their first World Cup goal.
However, it was too little too late for the host, with substitute Bamba Dieng rounding off Senegal's victory six minutes from time.
After a bright start from Senegal, the lively Qatar fans gathered behind Edouard Mendy's goal were furious in the 34th minute, when Akram Afif was bundled over by Ismaila Sarr, but referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz waved away the seemingly valid penalty appeals.
Yet just as it had grown into the game, Qatar was made to pay for Boualem Khoukhi's calamitous error, with his failed clearance falling to Dia, who made no mistake with a composed finish.
Qatar's hopes were dealt a further blow three minutes into the second half – Diedhiou turning in Ismail Jakobs' in-swinging corner.
Senegal had Mendy to thank for two excellent stops as Qatar searched for a goal back, the Chelsea goalkeeper brilliantly denying Almoez Ali and Ismaeel Mohammad.
Muntari's superb header four minutes after coming on set up a grandstand finish, yet Dieng swept home to strike the decisive blow and leave Qatar on the brink.
