Qatar 2022: Senegal face tough challenge in England

Senegal have history on their sight. The first time Asia hosted the FIFA World Cup, the Teranga Lions made Africa proud by shocking the world to reach the quarterfinals in Korea/Japan 2002. It was the continent’s second time at that stage after Roger Milla-inspired Cameroon broke the jinx at Italia 1990.

When they go up against the Three Lions of England tonight at Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar, manager Aliou Cissé, who captained the heroic 2002 squad to their feat in Asia must understand what to do. Without their injured talisman, Sadio Mané, Senegal acquitted themselves at the group stage.

They overcame their disappointing start, losing 0-2 to the Netherlands, and beat hosts Qatar 3-1 and Ecuador 2-1 to arrive at the Round of 16. But this ficture against England will be a real test of character.

Walloping Iran 6-2 on Matchday 1, Gareth Southgate’s team could not attain extra gear versus United States and produced one of the six barren results of the championship. But England had no mercy against fellow British side, Wales in their last match smatching three unreplied goals to win Group B.

England are clearly attack minded this World Cup. In reaching the semifinal of Russia 2018, the Three Lions scored three open-play goals, leaning heavily on their set-piece prowess. Four years on, they have already hit seven goals from open play, out of nine in all. They have also been more clinical with their shooting.

Their nine goals in the group stage – a record for an England side at a World Cup – came from 38 attempts, which works out at a goal every 4.22 attempts.

The earlier fixture of the day features title holders France, who have already established a record as the first defending champions to advance to the knockout phase of the championship in the last 16 years, after Italy, Spain and Germany respectively crashed at the group phase in 2010, 2014 and 2018. While Didier Deschamps and his men will be glad to have bucked that undesirable trend, they now have their sights set on overcoming the next obstacle in their path: Poland.

The Polish booked their place in the Round of 16 for the first time since 1986 by the tightest of margins, despite losing their Group C clash with Argentina 0-2 on Wednesday.

Robert Lewandowski and Co will certainly not be viewed as favourites against Les Bleus, but they will likely draw inspiration from Tunisia, who beat France 1-0 in their final group match. And while the French line-up had undergone a number of changes prior to the shock defeat, the team appeared more vulnerable than at the beginning of the tournament. Could the Poles also spring a surprise?

Argentina and the Netherlands are already gearing up for their quarterfinal clash on Friday after sending Australia and United States out of the race on Saturday.

Today’s fixtures: France v Poland (4 pm WAT), England v Senegal (8 pm)