Senegal’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup were boosted by a hard-fought 3-1 win over hosts Qatar on Friday (November 25), with Hornets hero Ismaïla Sarr featuring for 74 minutes of his side’s second Group A outing.

After impressing in the Teranga Lions’ 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Netherlands four days earlier, Sarr - winning his 50th cap - was named in the starting XI once again, and showed flashes of his potential from the off at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha.

Having gone close at the near post within the game’s first four minutes, Sarr then latched onto a raking long ball from goalkeeper Edouard Mendy on the half hour, though he couldn’t quite get the better of Qatar stopper Meshaal Barsham.

After escaping punishment for a challenge on Akram Afif in the Senegal box 11 minutes before half-time, Sarr was soon celebrating the match’s opening goal, when his teammate Boulaye Dia capitalised on a defensive error to make it 1-0.

Watford’s number 23 then had a hand in the African champions’ second after the break, winning the corner that opened the door for former Bristol City striker Famara Diedhiou to head home in the 48th minute.

After being replaced by Sheffield United star Iliman Ndiaye 16 minutes from the end, Sarr cheered on his teammates as Mohammed Muntari pulled one back for Qatar, before Bamba Dieng restored the two-goal cushion shortly after.

With their campaign up and running with the win, Senegal sit third in the Group A table following a 1-1 draw in the other game between Netherlands and Ecuador. The latter are next up for Sarr and his side on Tuesday (November 29, 3pm KO GMT), with a place in the knockout stages still firmly up for grabs.

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