Senegal vs Ecuador
Senegal will have their chance to book a place in the Last 16 when they take on tricky Ecuador in their final World Cup Group A clash on Tuesday.
They flexed their muscles in the 3-1 win over hapless hosts Qatar last time out, but Ecuador will present a stiffer challenge.
The permutations
It is quite simple. In reality, Senegal have to win. A draw will leave them hoping Qatar beat the Netherlands but two clear goals to stand a chance and unless the Dutch completely capitulate against the worst team in the tournament, that is not going to happen. Ecuador can play it safe needing just a point, but the Senegalese have to go for it.
Will Valencia be fit?
Quite remarkably, Enner Valencia has scored the last six goals for Ecuador at the World Cup finals, including all three in this tournament. But he has also battled with injury and is certainly not 100 per cent. His absence would be a massive blow for the South Americans, who will be desperate for him to play. But will a half-fit Valencia be anywhere near as effective?
Missing Mane
Sadio Mane is such a great player that any team would miss him, but this is especially so of Senegal, who look a little one-dimensional without their talisman. Mane’s pace and skill mean he can play anywhere across the front-line, pulling defenders out of position. They are much less of a threat without him there and easier to defend against.
South American opposition
Senegal have met South American opposition twice at the World Cup but are yet to register a win. They drew 3-3 with Uruguay in 2002 and lost 1-0 to Colombia in 2018. Ecuador have never faced an African nation at the finals.
History on their side
The only previous meeting between these two nations was a pre-2002 World Cup friendly that was won 1-0 by Senegal. The west Africans will hope to take some confidence from that, even if it was two decades ago. – Supersport
