Qatar 2022: Senegal, Morocco chase honours as Round of 16 kicks off

Africa’s five qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar are reduced to two — Senegal and Morocco — as the knockout phase kicks off this evening. Cameroon and Tunisia exited from the group stage despite winning their last matches, while Ghana were defeated but found joy in denying Uruguay progression as a payback for the “hand-of-God” stoppage of what might have been the Black Stars winning goal in South Africa 2010.

With the quarterfinal clash deadlocked at 1-1 heading into the final seconds of extra-time at the Soccercity in Johannseburg, Luiz Suarez blocked Stephen Appiah’s drive in legitimate fashion before thrusting up a hand to prevent Dominic Adiyiah’s goalbound follow-up effort from finding the net. The then Ajax forward was sent off and celebrated at the mouth of the tunnel as Asamoah Gyan struck his spot kick against the top of the crossbar.

Last night — 12 years later — Ghana lost 0-2, but victory was not enough for Uruguay to navigate the group stage to the Round of 16 as Korea Republic beat Portugal 2-1 to edge out the South American on superior goal difference.

African champions Senegal, even without their injured superstar, Sadio Mané, are aiming for their second quarterfinal appearance after emerging second in Group A. They have a night with Group B winners England on Sunday, while Morocco, champions of Group F take on Spain, Group E runners-up.

The Dutch open the fireworks in the last 16 as they take on United States at Khalifa International Stadium in Ar-Rayyan. Third placed team in Brazil 2014, Netherlands missed the last edition in Russia four years ago but won two matches and drawn one in reaching the Round of 16 in Qatar.

Their opponents, United States also did not qualify for Russia 2018 and struggled to progress to this stage in Group B. Sharing honours in their first two matches in Qatar — 1-1 against Wales and goalless against England — the Stars and Stripes had to win their last match by a lone goal against Iran to be among the teams in the second round.

Argentina did not explode in Qatar until their second group game. Champions in 1978 (at home) and 1986, Argentina were shocked 1-2 by Saudi Arabia. But the Lionel Messi-inspired side went on to triumph in their other matches 2-0 each versus Mexico and Poland to win Group C.

For Australia, defending champions France had no mercy in their first match winning 4-1. The Aussies then pipped Tunisia 1-0 and repeated the same feat against Denmark to share points with Frnace and march onwards to the Round of 16. Will the Socceroos better their best outing, which was a Round of 16 exit in Germany 2006?

At the group phase of Qatar 2022, 120 goals were recorded in 48 matches, an average of 2.5 goals per match. England and Spain scored the highest — nine each.

For the top scorer’s award, five players are leading with three goals each. They include Enner Valencia, who can no longer compete as Ecuador got knocked out at the group stage. The others in the race are France’s Kylian Mbappé, Marcus Rashford (England), Álvaro Morata (Spain) and Cody Gakpo (Netherlands).

Quarterfinal fixtures

Today: Netherlands v United States (4 pm WAT), Argentina v Australia (8 pm)

Sunday: France v Poland (4 pm), England v Senegal (8 pm)

Monday: Japan v Croatia (4 pm), Brazil v Korea Republic (8 pm)

Tuesday: Morocco v Spain (4 pm), Portugal v Switzerland (8 pm)