The host country’s World Cup hopes were all but gone after Qatar lost to Senegal, 3-1, on Friday in a World Cup game that both teams desperately needed to win.
Senegal controlled the early part of the game and was rewarded with the first goal when Qatar defender Boualem Khoukhi badly bungled a clearance, the ball going nowhere. That gave Boulaye Dia a chance to sweep in and poach a fairly easy goal in the 41st minute.
Famara Diedhiou made it 2-0 with a rocket header straight off a corner from Ismail Jakobs in the 48th minute.
Qatar gained some hope when Mohammed Muntari leaped high and met a cross from Ismaeel Mohammad with his head for a goal in the 78th minute that cut Senegal’s lead to 2-1.
But Bamba Dieng clinched it for Senegal in the 84th minute with a shot that wrong-footed Qatar keeper Meshaal Barsham.
Qatar still had a mathematical shot to advance, but it would require beating the group’s best team, the Netherlands, by several goals and other results breaking just right.
Senegal put itself in good position, with its final game against Ecuador looking pivotal
