The Middle Eastern nation endured a second successive defeat on Friday.
Qatar have been eliminated from the FIFA World Cup after losing to Senegal in their Group A match on Friday, with the Netherlands’ draw with Ecuador later in the day confirming the fate of the tournament hosts.
Qatar were beaten 3-1 by Senegal at the Al Thumama Stadium after a 41st-minute goal from Boulaye Dia and second-half finishes from Famara Diedhiou and Bamba Dieng.
The hosts showed glimpses of a potential comeback by reducing the deficit to 2-1 through Mohammed Muntari’s strike in the 78th minute – Qatar’s first ever goal at a World Cup – but it was too little, too late as they followed their opening day loss to Ecuador with more disappointment.
After their 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands in their first game, Senegal are up and running and the continental champions became the first African nation to win a match at this year’s World Cup.
The Netherlands’ subsequent 1-1 draw with Ecuador at the Khalifa International Stadium – where a third Qatar World Cup goal from Ecuadorian captain Enner Valencia canceled out an opener from Dutch winger Cody Gakpo – meant Qatar stand no chance of reaching the knockout stages and become the first nation to be eliminated from this year’s tournament.
Qatar were not fancied by many to progress far at their home showpiece, but nonetheless they will have been disappointed by another tame showing against Senegal in which they only really roused themselves in the latter stages.
The Qataris follow South Africa as the only host nations to be eliminated from a World Cup at the group stage, although the South Africans at least won one and drew one of their matches at the 2010 edition of the tournament.
By contrast, Qatar sit bottom of Group A with no points from two matches, while the Dutch and Ecuador lead the way with four points, ahead of Senegal on three.
Qatar will seek to salvage some pride in their final group match against the Netherlands at the Al Bayt Stadium on Tuesday, the same day as Ecuador meet Senegal.
Host nation Qatar are the FIRST team to get eliminated from the 2022 World Cup! 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/vCWK1a3vfi
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 25, 2022
