Qatar vs Senegal, FIFA World Cup 2022, Today Match Prediction

Qatar vs Senegal Match Prediction & Analysis

Qatar became the first World Cup hosts to lose their opening game of the tournament, although it didn’t come as much of a surprise given the gulf in class between them and Ecuador.

The hosts gave everything they had, although it was clear to see that this just wasn’t enough to compete with seasoned competitors from South America.

Now, they face an early exit unless they can find a way to beat the highest-ranked African team at the tournament, and one that were unlucky to lose their game so late on against the Netherlands.

Senegal were dogged and determined in that game despite losing late on. They too now need a victory to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the next round.

They threatened the Netherlands’ goal throughout the game, particularly in the first half, but their lack of elite quality in the final third was there for all to see.

They will back themselves against a poor Qatar.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Qatar Preview

FIFA Ranking: 50

Predicted Finish: Group Stage

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Improved slightly in the second half against Ecuador

     May be more settled in their second game

Reasons to be fearful:

     Were poor against Ecuador

     Will be out of the competition already if they lose here

There weren’t too many positives to take from Qatar’s opening game against Ecuador.

From the first whistle until the last, they were beaten quite comfortably. Their opponents were good, especially in the first half, but it was Qatar that made the South Americans look better than they should.

Every player, from the goalkeeper to the strikers, was below par and it was unsurprising to see swarms of Qatar fans leaving after the hour mark. 

In truth, there wasn’t much hope for them coming into this tournament, but the expectation was that they would fare a little better than that.

Now, in a do or die contest against Senegal, you would hope that they can raise their game. They can start by providing their strikers with some passes in the box.

Star Man – Almoez Ali

Was starved of service against Ecuador, although has plenty of goals in his career for Qatar. He will hope he has more joy against Senegal.

Senegal Preview

FIFA Ranking: 18

Predicted Finish: Group Stage

Reasons to be cheerful

     Posed the Netherlands problems despite defeat

     Are likely to have too much for Qatar

Reasons to be fearful

     Anything but a win here could be disastrous

     Lacked quality in the final third in their opening game

When many predicted that the Netherlands would beat Senegal in their opening game, they might not have predicted that it would be as close as it was.

It took 84 minutes for Gakpo to score the first goal for the Oranje and in that time Senegal had several efforts of their own.

None of them were clear cut and if Senegal are to progress to the knockout stages, they will need to improve their chance creation going forward.

If Senegal can claim three points here, it really does bring them back into the equation. It means that they would need to beat Ecuador in their final game of the group, but it’s a chance they will take.

Lose, and they will be out, as unthinkable as that might be.

Star Man – Ismaila Sarr

The winger was Senegal’s brightest spark going forward and probably deserved better from his performance. He will need more from his teammates to turn Senegal’s fortunes around.