PLAYER RATINGS: Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gueye excel, but Piero Hincapie makes a costly error
PLAYER RATINGS: Kalidou Koulibaly leads from the front and Idrissa Gana Gueye excels in an unfamiliar role… but Piero Hincapie makes a costly error as Ecuador crash out
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
(function (src, d, tag){ var s = d.createElement(tag), prev = d.getElementsByTagName(tag)[0]; s.src = src; prev.parentNode.insertBefore(s, prev); }(“https://www.dailymail.co.uk/static/gunther/1.17.0/async_bundle–.js”, document, “script”));
<!– DM.loadCSS(“https://www.dailymail.co.uk/static/gunther/gunther-2159/video_bundle–.css”);
<!–
In another magical moment at this World Cup, Senegal secured qualification for the last-16 for the first time in 20 years after they defeated Ecuador 2-1 in Group A.
Ismaila Sarr opened the scoring from the spot after he was clumsily fouled by Piero Hincapie.
Moises Caicedo equalised from a corner, before Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibably netted a fine winner minutes later to send the Teranga Lions back in-front.
Senegal qualified for the last-16 of the World Cup after beating Ecuador 2-1 in Group A
It was a memorable win as the nation reached the knockout stages for the first time in 20 years
Despite a late Ecuadorian onslaught, Senegal held firm and are likely to face England in the last-16 if the Three Lions are able to finish top of Group B.
Following the enthralling clash, Sportsmail has rated both teams’ players…
Ecuador (4-3-3)
Hernan Galindez – Didn’t do much wrong and was out of his goal quickly on occasions, but also made no notable saves. 6
Angelo Preciado – Struggled to deal with Ismaila Sarr down Senegal’s left-side. 5
Felix Torres – Dealt well with Dia up top and put in some important clearances and blocks. 6
Piero Hincapie – No idea what he was doing for the penalty – a disastrous and clumsy challenge that put Ecuador up against it. 5
Piero Hincapie made a costly error when he barged over Ismaila Sarr to concede a penalty
Pervis Estupinan – After being so impressive in Ecuador’s first two games, the Brighton man struggled to impact the game here. 5
Alan Franco – Was poor in the first half as Ecuador were exposed early on before being hooked at half-time. 5
Carlos Gruezo – One of several Ecuador players who seemed frozen by the occasion – also subbed at the break. 5
Moises Caicedo – Not at his best today, but did score the all-important goal that had Ecuador in the box seat for qualification for a few minutes. 6.5
Moises Caicedo equalised for Ecuador but didn’t have his best game against Senegal
Gonzalo Plata – Ecuador’s set pieces have been so good in this tournament but they, and Plata, were poor today. 6
Michael Estrada – Struggled up top against the physical Senegal back-line. 5
Enner Valencia – A star of the tournament but didn’t impact the game whatsoever – looked as if he wasn’t fully-fit after being stretchered off against the Netherlands. 5
Enner Valencia struggled to impact the game after a superb first two games of the World Cup
Substitutes
Jose Cifuentes (on for Gruezo at half-time) – Worked hard in midfield but the South Americans were far from their best today. 6
Jeremey Sarmiento (on for Franco at half-time) – Made a difference on the left and looked bright – definitely one to keep an eye on for Ecuador and Brighton. 6.5
Djorkaeff Reasco (on for Estrada on 64mins) – Tried his best but Ecuador didn’t really create any big late chances. 6
Jackson Porozo (on for Preciado on 85mins) – N/A
Senegal (4-3-3)
Edouard Mendy – Really didn’t have much to do as Ecuador were very poor in creating chances, but did all he needed to with calmness. 6
Youssouf Sabaly – An outlet on the right-side and looked solid in attack and defence. 6.5
Kalidou Koulibaly – A man mountain at the back, heading everything away, while he popped up with his country’s winner – heroic. 8
Kalidou Koulibaly put in a Player of the Match performance and netted the important winner
Abdou Diallo – Alongside Koulibaly those two are a formidably presence and Diallo was extremely solid. 7
Ismail Jakobs – Equally strong in defence, while also putting in some dangerous balls from set pieces. 7
Pathe Ciss – Ticked things over at the base of midfield and helped to protect his defence. 6.5
Pape Gueye – The Marseille man was combative in defence and provided quality in attack. 7
Idrissa Gana Gueye – Playing in an unfamiliar No 10 role, Gueye was brilliant and delivered a fantastic free-kick for the winner – something for Frank Lampard to think about perhaps. 7.5
Idrissa Gana Gueye impressed in a more attacking role in midfield for Senegal on Tuesday
Iliman Ndiaye – Showed glimpses of his undoubted talent in the first half but faded in the second. 6.5
Boulaye Dia – Worked hard up-front to occupy Torres and Hincapie, although he missed a golden chance early on. 6.5
Ismaila Sarr – Won and finished the first half penalty and was a constant menace on the left, often cutting in on his favoured right foot. 7.5
Watford’s Ismaila Sarr impressed and cooly slotted home his penalty in the first half
Substitutes
Nampalys Mendy (on for Ciss 75mins) – Was tidy and solid in helping to see the game out. 6
Bamba Dieng (on for Ndiaye 75mins) – Worked hard and won a couple of tactical fouls in the final minutes. 6
Pape Abou Cisse (on for Dia 90+5mins) – N/A
