Host nation Qatar crashed out of the World Cup on Friday after a second straight defeat earlier than an uninspired England missed the prospect to wrap up qualification for the final 16 following a 0-0 draw with the USA. Qatar misplaced 3-1 to Senegal and have become the primary workforce to be knocked out of this World Cup after the Netherlands and Ecuador drew 1-1 within the different Group A recreation. Asian champions Qatar had excessive hopes coming into the match however grow to be solely the second residence workforce to crash out within the group stage, after South Africa in 2010.
Objectives from Boulaye Dia, Famara Diedhiou and Bamba Dieng have been sufficient to present African champions Senegal the win.
Mohammed Muntari scored Qatar’s solely World Cup aim up to now in a deeply disappointing debut on soccer’s greatest stage — it’s the first time a World Cup host nation has gone out after simply two video games.
“We wish to say we’re very sorry to the supporters, to the nation,” mentioned Qatar defender Tarek Salman, who was a second-half substitute.
“Now we have made them really feel unhealthy about dropping two video games in a row within the World Cup.”
The Netherlands took an early lead in opposition to Ecuador by Cody Gakpo — his second aim of the match — however Ecuador levelled by captain Enner Valencia’s tournament-leading third aim.
Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands, who’ve 4 factors, will qualify for the final 16 with a draw in opposition to Qatar of their closing match.
Senegal should beat Ecuador to advance to the knockout part.
After thumping Iran 6-2 of their opening match, an unimaginative England produced a limp show in opposition to the USA and have been booed off at full-time.
Gareth Southgate’s males would have been assured to advance from Group B with a victory, however they hardly ever troubled a decided US workforce.
“A draw is not the top of the world for us, it places us in an incredible place within the group,” England captain Harry Kane mentioned.
“After our first efficiency folks thought we have been simply going to landslide each workforce we play, nevertheless it’s not the case.”
England want solely keep away from a four-goal defeat by neighbours Wales on Tuesday to advance and know a victory will ship them by as group winners.
– Emotional Iran depart it late –
Earlier, Iran scored twice deep into stoppage time to stun Wales 2-0 and breathe new life right into a World Cup marketing campaign overshadowed by mass anti-government protests at residence.
The Iranian gamers sang the nationwide anthem earlier than their win over Wales, having opted to remain silent of their opener in Qatar in an obvious gesture of help for the demonstrators.
They have been worthy winners in opposition to a workforce diminished to 10 males late within the match.
Iran, who would have been eradicated if they’d misplaced, punished Gareth Bale’s Wales within the eighth minute of damage time when substitute Rouzbeh Cheshmi smashed residence.
The Iranians despatched their hundreds of followers on the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha wild when Ramin Rezaeian clipped in a second aim on the counter-attack.
There have been emotional scenes as Iran’s gamers and workers, together with their Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, embraced on the pitch and took within the acclaim of their supporters.
Mehdi Taremi, the workforce’s star striker, paid tribute to Iran’s followers.
“Thanks to our supporters, they helped us on a regular basis,” mentioned Taremi, who was reduce down by Wayne Hennessey when the goalkeeper got here haring out of his aim.
Hennessey was despatched off within the 86th minute, incomes the primary purple card of the World Cup.
“We want these supporters to help us like at all times,” added Taremi, whose facet will attain the final 16 in the event that they win a politically charged conflict with the USA on Tuesday.
– Neymar misses subsequent recreation –
Brazil’s workforce camp introduced that celebrity ahead Neymar would miss the facet’s subsequent recreation in opposition to Switzerland after he suffered ankle ligament injury of their opening 2-0 win in opposition to Serbia.
“Right now is without doubt one of the most tough moments of my profession… and once more in a World Cup,” Neymar wrote on Instagram.
“I’ve an damage sure, it is annoying, it’ll damage however I am positive I am going to have the prospect to return again as a result of I’ll do my finest to assist my nation, my team-mates and myself.”
Neymar is perhaps sidelined for Brazil’s closing group recreation in opposition to Cameroon as nicely, in keeping with a report from Brazil’s Globo Esporte.
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