'Senegal want to continue this adventure' - Cisse on Ecuador showdown
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
18 mins: Idrissa Gueye flicks a wayward cross into the penalty area as Senegal get three or four men into the box. The ball comes over to Ismaila Sarr who can’t quite control it on his chest and it skips by him before bouncing out for an Ecuador throw in.
They don’t keep the ball for long before Senegal turn over possession. Idrissa Gueye receives it and drives down the right before winning a corner for his side.
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
15 mins: Quarter of an hour played and the Ecuador fans will be the more nervous. Senegal have started as the better side, creating two or three decent chances already yet La Tri continue to get the ball up the pitch.
A cross comes over to leading goalscorer, Enner Valencia, but he can’t control it and Senegal scramble the ball clear. There’s no way this game will end goalless, especially if both sides keep up this intensity.
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
11 mins: Ndiaye has made a decent start to the game for Senegal. He’s moving the ball nicely and getting himself into space to push the African champions up the pitch.
The forward gets wide on the right and sends a low ball into the box. Ismaila Sarr arrives at the back post but Ecuador turn it behind for a corner.
The set piece is then swung into the box but the South Americans defend it well.
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
8 mins: Shot! Senegal get in again after a long ball is poorly cleared by Piero Hincapie. He nods the ball to Iliman Ndiaye who plays it inside to Youssouf Sabaly who’s bombed up the pitch.
Sabaly slides a dainty pass into the penalty area where Boulaye Dia breaks through the lines and hooks a shot wide of the far post!
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
6 mins: Ecuador have set up with a narrow shape and an aggressive mindset which is giving Senegal freedom on the wider areas to push up the pitch.
The South American side seem keen to score and impose themselves on the match.
Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
3 mins: Chance! Oh my days. Senegal should be in front.
Pape Gueye is given the ball on the left wing and storms down the line before bringing the ball to the edge of the penalty area. He squares a pass over to Idrissa Gueye who collects the ball in space.
He shifts to the right then laces his shot narrowly wide of the post! The Everton midfielder needs to hit the target there!
Kick off: Ecuador 0-0 Senegal
Ecuador get the ball rolling in this must-win Group A decider. They send the ball long a couple of times but some physical defending from Kalidou Koulibaly sees Senegal keep them at bay.
Ecuador vs Senegal
Here come the teams!
They stride purposefully onto the pitch and belt out the national anthems. By five o’clock we’ll know which teams have qualified from Group A.
Who will go through, Ecuador or Senegal?
‘Cool headed’ Senegal dealing with pressure
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse has urged his players “not to overthink” today’s must-win clash and has told them to keep “cool heads” throughout the game.
“We are OK, we are dealing with pressure and stress. For me it is good stress,” he added when addressing the media.
Ecuador vs Senegal
Ecuador are aiming to reach the last 16 for just the second time in their history and the first time since 2006.
Senegal can live up to their title of African champions with a good run through the World Cup and that starts today if they can reach the knockout stages.
(REUTERS)
