Senegal kicked off their 2022 FIFA World Cup Group A campaign with a 2-0 loss to Netherlands at the Al Thumama Stadium in Qatar on Monday, November 21.
As a result, the Oranje are placed second on the Group A standings, while the Teranga Lions are placed third on the table.
Netherlands started the game well and they threatened first through Cody Bergwin, who failed to convert Cody Gakpo’s brilliant pass at the edge of thebox.
The Teranga Lions were also able to register a shot on target through Ismail Sarr following a good move by the African side in the 11th minute.
However, Cheikhou Kayoute effort lacked power and Netherlands goalkeeper Andries Noppert made a comfortable save as the two teams searched for an early goal.
The two teams then struggled to create clear-cut chances and they resorted to taking shorts from range which could not seriously test Noppert and his counterpart Mendy.
Senegal forward Krepin Diatta and Netherlands winger Steven Berghuis both saw their long-range efforts from range easily saved with the half-time break approaching.
The two teams were locked at 0-0 at the interval.
Senegal started the second half strongly and gradually began to build some pressure in attack. However, they lacked the penetration to really trouble Netherlands defence and goalkeeper Noppert
The Oranje opened their scoring in the 84th minute, with Gody Gakpo who connected De Jong’s cross and nodded home to make it 1-0.
Ten minutes later, Senegal goalkeeper Mendy had another bad moment when he parried a tame Depay effort into the path of Davy Klaassen, who steered home beyond the diving shot stopper.
Senegal: Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Pape Abou Cisse, Youssouf Sabaly, Abdou Diallo, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Nampalys Mendy, Cheikhou Kouyate, Boulaye Dia, Krepin Diatta, Ismaila Sarr
Netherlands: Andries Noppert, Matthijs de Ligt, Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake, Daley Blind, Denzel Dumfries, Cody Gakpo, Steven Berghuis, Frenkie De Jong, Vincent Janssen, Steven Bergwijn
