World Cup: Netherlands & Senegal win to secure places in last 16

1. Netherlands finish top of Group A after two wins and one draw
2. FT: Netherlands 2-0 Qatar - Gakpo scores his third of tournament and De Jong doubles lead
3. Senegal also qualify after finishing second in Group A, two points ahead of Ecuador
4. FT: Ecuador 1-2 Senegal - Sarr (pen) and Koulibaly for Senegal; Caicedo for Ecuador
5. Netherlands will play runners-up from Group B on Saturday; Senegal will face Group B winner on Sunday

'Netherlands favourites to progress as group winners'

Simon Gleave, head of sports analysis, Nielsen's Gracenote: "In terms of the last-16, nothing has been decided in Group A.

"The Netherlands are favourites to progress with Gracenote's forecast giving the Dutch a 97% chance of reaching the knockout phase and 53% chance of winning the group.

"Ecuador are second favourites with 78% chance of finishing in the top-two and 37% chance of winning the group.

"Senegal are not out of it though and have 25% chance of playing a second round match at the weekend and 10% chance of winning Group A."

These two matches at the Khalifa International Stadium and at Al Bayt Stadium are being played around 30 miles apart. But out come all four teams in unison.

Perfect timing. It's national anthem time.

'England would prefer to play Senegal'

Adam Crafton

Reporter for The Athletic, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live

I was at the Senegal game against Qatar and Senegal won the game pretty comfortably. But there were periods when Qatar, who are probably the weakest team in the tournament, caused problems. Once it was 2-0 to Senegal, maybe they took their foot off the gas. Qatar started to play and press a bit more, be more aggressive.

We know that Ecuador are one of the more physical teams in the tournament. If they go aggressive early on, they will have a good chance. Probably apart from Enner Valencia, there are not that many goals on the pitch for both sides. It's going to be tight.

I think England would prefer to play Senegal in the next round. Maybe we'll feel different in 90 minutes time, but what we have seen from the first two games, I think Ecuador would cause England more problems.

'Caicedo is a special talent'

Glenn Murray

Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Moises Caicedo is 21 years old, he's the real deal and I think that he can only get better so noises are going to be made. Before Brighton pushed the button to go and get him from Independiente, there were teams circling around him, it was just Brighton who took that gamble.

I think when you look at the so called bigger clubs they let him join a lesser Premier League side, prove his worth in the division and then snap him up even if it costs more money, that's the way it works. At this World Cup, he has been stand out for Ecuador and proven to everyone what a special talent he really is.

Getty Images

Gustavo Alfaro wants his Ecuador side to make it the "best World Cup in Ecuadorean history" as they chase a place in the last 16.

Ecuador will qualify for the next round if they avoid defeat against Senegal on Tuesday (15:00 GMT).

Alfaro's side are second in Group A after beating Qatar and drawing against group leaders the Netherlands.

"I'm convinced we've done everything we can, we've done our homework," head coach Alfaro said.

Should Ecuador progress, they will match their all-time best World Cup showing when they reached the last 16 at Germany 2006, where they were knocked out by England.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Now then, just a quick reminder that you can hear live commentary of Ecuador v Senegal on BBC Radio 5 Live, who will also be providing updates from Netherlands v Qatar.

Get Involved

Getty Images

Time for the Senegalese star boy, Iliman Ndiaye to shine and show world football what he’s about.

Anon

getty

The odds are very much stacked in Ecuador's favour to advance to the knockout stage with just a draw needed.

But boss Gustavo Alfaro says there is no prospect of them simply shutting up shop.

"We can't just change our playing style and our essence," he said.

"We are not just thinking about getting a draw. I told my players that if we come out just trying to draw the game, we wouldn't be successful. We need to be protagonists. That's our playing style."

Senegal, third in Group A with three points from their first two games, will be eliminated if they lose, and will likely need a victory to progress, unless hosts Qatar beat the Netherlands.

Coach Aliou Cisse has urged his players "not to overthink" the game and keep "cool heads".

"We are OK, we are dealing with pressure and stress. For me it is good stress," he added.

'Cisse has done a magnificent job with Senegal'

Stephen Warnock

Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Aliou Cissé has done an incredible job since he's taken over with Senegal winning the African Cup of Nations and progressing the team. However, now that they've lost Sadio Mane, I worry for them. I think he's a little bit lost as to how to set up his team. He had Diédhiou playing centre-forward alongside Dia the other day and they looked very light in midfield.

Today he has gone back to a three in midfield and Diedhiou drops to the bench and he's still trying to find the right balance but I'm not filled with fear watching them. I wouldn't be fearful of playing against them.They are a very physical side, well organised, but they don't seem to have any sort of killer instinct in front of goal and at the top end.

We so often seen Ismaïla Sarr playing on the right hand side, he's playing on the left hand side. I don't think that suits his best attributes. But who am I to argue? Cisse has done a magnificent job with what he's done so far with the Senegalese team. Burt for a big upset today, we never know what will happen. It will be an intriguing game for sure.

Getty Images

Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro was always confident captain and talisman Enner Valencia would be fit and ready for his side's decisive final World Cup group game against Senegal.

Former West Ham and Everton striker Valencia has scored all three of Ecuador's goals in the tournament so far but has been carrying a knee injury.

The 33-year-old struck twice in the 2-0 opening-night win over hosts Qatar and then grabbed the vital equaliser in the 1-1 draw with the Netherlands but he was forced off in both gamaes.

"He has a knee sprain but he has a big heart and wants to be in every battle for our national team," Alfaro said

"He wants to be there and, of course, his leadership is something that we always need. He's an extraordinary player. He's someone I would always pick for my national team."

Clinical Dutch

Netherlands have made only 13 goal attempts and placed four on target, both the lowest by a group leader according to Nielsen's Gracenote. Poland (16 and five) are next lowest. The other six group leaders had at least nine shots on target in their first two matches.

The Dutch have, however, scored three goals from their four shots on target.

'Can see how much the World Cup means to Valencia'

Stephen Warnock

Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

You can see from Enner Valencia, what he is pushing his body through, stretchered off in the last game and to be able to find his feet to get back for the game today, you can just see how much a World Cup means to players.

He'll definitely be chasing the Golden Boot and feel that he is in the running for that.

'Valencia is on fire'

Rob Green

Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

Enner Valencia has been on fire. Literally everything he touches. He's scored 13 in 12 for Fenerbache in the league this season so I'm sure it's no great surprise to him. He's had four shots on target in the tournament, three have been goals. He also had a goal disallowed in the opening game so he is a man on fire.

Hearts would have been in mouths when he was stretchered off in the previous game, he had an icepack on his knee which tends to suggest it's really bad or not that bad at all. It turns out it's not that bad at all.

Ecuador are really exciting, I think they've been one of the teams of the tournament so far in how they play and go about it, very direct, very fast, they don't mess around with the ball. I'm really looking forward to it because how will Senegal approach this and combat the way that Ecuador play?

Ecuador’s last six goals at the World Cup, all scored in the 2014 and 2022 tournaments, have been scored by forward Enner Valencia.

He has three in this campaign and is comfortably his country’s all-time leading scorer at the global finals ahead of former Southampton forward Agustin Delgado (three goals)

Djorkaeff times two

When you meet the World Cup winner you are named after.

One Djorkaeff would be difficult enough for a defence to deal with mind.

Qatar 'not embarrassed' by early exit

Getty Images

Qatar started this tournament with the ambition of reaching the knockouts but they became the first team to see their progression hopes ended.

"I don't feel disappointed or embarrassed," said Qatar manager Felix Sanchez.

"I think these players have shown they can compete in many competitions. A World Cup is the most demanding competition."

'We have a chance' to become world champions

Getty Images

Netherlands, who are three-times finalists, secured a third-place finish at the World Cup in 2014.

Boss Louis van Gaal has not set any specific targets for this year's tournament, but says his squad share his vision on how far they can go.

"I never said we're going to become world champion, I said we can become it, that we have a chance, and the players have also become convinced of that," he said.

But first things first - getting out of the group today.