Hosts Qatar have become the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup 2022, after their 3-1 defeat to Senegal in Group A and the subsequent 1-1 draw between the Netherlands and Ecuador.
Their premature exit also sees them set the unwanted record of becoming the first-ever host nation to go out of the tournament after just two group matches. Only one other host had ever previously been knocked out in the first round, regardless of format: South Africa in 2010.
Boulaye Dia, Famara Diedhiou and Ahmadou Bamba Dieng were on the scoresheet for Senegal, who picked up their first points following a group-opening 2-0 loss to the Netherlands.
No one who's watched Qatar during these finals will have been remotely surprised, though: reigning Asian champions they may be, but Felix Sanchez's side have looked hopefully out of their depth at their maiden World Cup.
Qatar lost their opener 2-0 to Ecuador without registering a shot on target – something they didn't muster until after the hour mark against Senegal, 165 minutes (there's been a LOT of stoppage time so far) into their tournament. It took them a similar length of time to reach double figures for touches in the opposition box.
The Maroons' first test of an opposing goalkeeper seemed to rouse them, and they soon forced Edouard Mendy into a much tougher save – through Ismael Mohammad's close-range effort.
Substitute Mohammed Muntari's towering 79th-minute header (from Mohammad's delicious cross) gave Qatar hope, but it proved to be too little too late as Senegal restored their two-goal lead and comfortably held on for the victory.
For Qatar, their hopes of picking up even a point from their home World Cup realistically rest on the Dutch ringing the changes for Tuesday's final group clash.
