Senegal’s captain has put his team one step closer to the knockout stage at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Kalidou Koulibaly put his team up 2-1 over Ecuador in the 70th minute with his first ever international goal. Senegal sent the ball into the box with a free kick, and the ball found Koulibaly on a deflection. The Chelsea defender then sent a right-footed shot beyond Ecuadorian goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez’s reach.
Koulibaly’s goal was a quick counter to Ecuador’s equalizer just three minutes prior. Moisés Caicedo scored in the 67th minute to bring Ecuador level at 1-1 after the ball reached him at the far post following a corner kick.
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Ismaïla Sarr put Senegal on the board in the 44th minute by scoring a penalty kick.
Senegal needs a win to reach the knockout stage, while Ecuador only needs a single point in the match.
The Netherlands leads Qatar 2-0, so whichever team advances from the Senegal-Ecuador match will move on as the likely second-place squad in Group B.