ECUADOR – SENEGAL | Tuesday 4pm
Basically respected predictions in Group A. As expected, it will be Ecuador and Senegal who will compete for a place in the round of 16, with the other slot seemingly already in the hands of the Netherlands. The Oranje, in fact, on the last day of the group stage simultaneously face the already eliminated Qatar and even in the event of a draw with the modest host selection they would be certain of securing passage to the knockout phase. The standings on the eve of the last round say this: Netherlands and Ecuador 4, Senegal 3 and Qatar 0. It is a sort of play-off, therefore, that South Americans and Africans are about to play.
Driven by its goal scorer Enner Valencia, Argentine selector Gustavo Alfaro’s Tri is one of the surprises (in a positive sense) of these first two days, being able to beat Qatar (0-2) without any major problems in the opening match and avoid defeat against the Netherlands, stopped at 1-1. Against van Dijk and his team-mates it was another well-played game for Ecuador, who were able to close ranks and not disband after going down after just six minutes. From the usual Valencia – three goals in two games for the former West Ham striker – the equalising goal at the start of the second half, in which Alfaro’s men never gave up the initiative. The Ecuadoreans, who now, by virtue of the point more than Senegal, could also be satisfied with a draw to achieve a goal that was anything but a foregone conclusion on the eve of the World Cup.
Aliou Cissé’s team, on the other hand, cannot make any calculations, as they are practically obliged to win in order not to have to pack their bags already. In the meantime, after the defeat they suffered – but not entirely deserved – against the Dutch in their opener, Koulibaly and his team-mates found goals and points against a Qatar side which, apart from a timid reaction in the second half (1-3), proved once again to be not up to the level of this event.
Ecuador-Senegal: latest line-up news
Ndiaye, Dieng and Sarr
Alfaro is again anxious about his goleador. Valencia went off on a stretcher during the match against Holland after scoring the equalising goal. The Fenerbahçe-owned striker is doing everything he can to be there and it would not be surprising if he led the South American selection’s attack again. The Argentine-born coach will confirm the 3-4-2-1 and the only change could be the rotation on the three-quarter between Valencia and Sarmiento should the former West Ham player forfeit.
The system of play chosen by Cissé will again be the 4-4-2, with Salernitana striker Dia flanked by Dhiedhiou, both of whom scored against Qatar. The two wingers Diatta and Sarr will also sacrifice a lot in the non-possession phase, while Gueye and Mendy will be back in the centre. At the back, in addition to Sabaly and Jakobs, Diallo and captain Koulibaly will play.
The prediction
Senegal will be the match, as they say in the jargon, having no alternative to victory if they want to advance in the World Cup. Conversely, Ecuador will show a cautious attitude, keeping their defence and midfield lines tight and relying on their great tactical organisation, which has paid dividends so far against both Qatar and Holland. It is probable that the match could unlock in the second half, when more space could open up. Both, in our opinion, should find the way to the goal.
Ecuador-Senegal
likely line-ups
- ECUADOR (3-4-2-1): Galindez; Porozo, Torres, Hincapié; Preciado, Mendez, Caicedo, Estupinan; Plata, Valencia; Estrada.
- SENEGAL (4-4-2): Mendy; Sabaly, Koulibaly, Diallo, Jakobs; Sarr, Mendy, Gueye, Diatta; Dia, Diedhiou.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
