Host Qatar are perilously close to crashing out of the World Cup after slumping to another embarrassing defeat against Senegal at Al Thumama Stadium.
Senegal became the first African country to win in the ongoing World Cup after a 3-1 win over Qatar, on Friday.
With Senegal’s win, the hope of the host nation appears to be hanging, as their qualification to the next round is becoming really slim.
Boulaye Dia (41) and Famara Diedhiou (48) struck either side of half-time to put Senegal in control as they set about responding to their opening-night defeat to the Netherlands.
Mohammed Muntari pulled one back (78) with an historic first goal at a World Cup finals for Qatar, but the hosts’ unlikely comeback lasted just six minutes as Ahmadou Dieng restored Senegal’s two-goal lead (84).
After a World Cup debut to forget against Ecuador, Qatar’s improvement against Senegal was visible, though they lacked attacking threat in a one-sided first half.
The hosts felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Akram Afif was felled by Ismaila Sarr in the area, but the appeals were ignored by referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz.
Qatar were within four minutes of reaching the interval on level terms when Senegal took the lead, Dia pounced on Boualem Khoukhi’s defensive error to rifle in the opener at the near post.
Senegal doubled their lead within three minutes of the restart when Diedhiou brilliantly glanced in from a corner to all but condemn Qatar to elimination.
But the hosts stirred superbly, registering their first two attempts on target at this World Cup as Edouard Mendy pulled off two fine saves to deny Almoez Ali and Ismail Mohamad in the space of five minutes.
The Qatari pressure eventually told 12 minutes from time when Muntari rose high and superbly headed in his nation’s maiden World Cup finals goal, but the celebrations were short-lived, with Dieng restoring Senegal’s two-goal cushion from 12 yards to leave the hosts staring at an early exit.
Qatar’s second defeat at the 2022 World Cup leaves them bottom of Group A with no points, while all the other teams in the group have three points.
A win or a draw for Netherlands against Ecuador, who beat Qatar in the tournament’s opening game, later on Friday will see Qatar become the first side mathematically eliminated from the competition.
In the final Group A games, Qatar face the Netherlands and Ecuador take on Senegal on Tuesday at 3pm.