Netherlands and Senegal have qualified for the Round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup from Group A. The AFCON winners qualified for the knockout stages for the first time since 2002, and have been joined by the 2010 finalists following their win against the hosts, Qatar.
Senegal will be facing the winners of Group B, that is, England in their Round of 16 fixture. Moreover, the Netherlands will face the runners-up from Group B, the USA.
Netherlands and Senegal qualify for 2022 World Cup Round of 16
The Dutch were able to pick up a 2-0 win against Qatar in routine fashion. Cody Gakpo opened the scoring for the third time in the group stage. He has now scored with his head, left foot and right foot, which makes a perfect hat-trick.
The PSV Eindhoven youngster has been remarkable in the World Cup so far, and is surely set for a huge step up at the end of the season.
Senegal, on the other hand, overcame Ecuador to book their place in the last 16. Kalidou Koulibaly put in a match-winning performance, and scored the winning goal with a striker’s finish to make it 2-1 and earn three vital points.
Despite the absence of their best player, Sadio Mane, the team showed a lot of fighting spirit and have earned a showdown against one of the best teams in the world.