Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr attempted – and scored – a no-look penalty on Tuesday to set the Lions of Teranga on their way to one of the most important wins in their history.
Sarr stepped up to take the spot-kick late in the first half of his side's crucial World Cup clash against Ecuador and fixed his vision straight ahead of him as he stroked a precise shot into the bottom right corner to give Senegal the lead after 44 minutes.
The African champions had to beat Ecuador to qualify for the last 16 and Sarr, who has played at Watford since 2019, set them on their way to victory.
"SENEGAL STAND TALL" 🇸🇳Ismaïla Sarr with a no-look penalty in such an important game! 👏#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/YvKlglGd2mNovember 29, 2022
Brighton's Moises Caicedo equalised for Ecuador halfway through the second half, but Senegal hit back straight away through Chelsea's Kalidou Koulibaly shortly afterwards and Aliou Cisse's side held on for a 2-1 win which takes them to the World Cup knockout stages for a second time in their history.
Senegal reached the knockout stages for the first time in 2002, with Cisse as their captain, and went on to make the quarter-finals that year.
That followed a shock win over holders France in their first match and the goalscorer in that game was Papa Bouba Diop, who passed away two years ago on Tuesday.
Ahead of this match, Senegal's fans paid tribute to their former midfielder, with banners, shirts and posters, with the message: "True lion never dies."
