The Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup has so far lived up to its standard, delivering various exciting performances since it began. Players and fans have experienced a rollercoaster of emotions where underdogs shone and favorites struggled.
Education City Stadium – Outside, unsplash
Group A of the tournament has been settled, with Netherlands and Senegal making it to the next round. As a result, in an interview with InterPress Service, Tim Harrison, a betting expert at BetZillion, discussed the top moments in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Group A.
How It Went Down in Group A
Group A consists of the host nation:
- Qatar,
- Senegal,
- Ecuador,
- and the Netherlands.
They saw the Flying Dutchmen and the Senegalese team make it to the knockout phase.
All these actions are available for bettors to wager on their preferred bookmaker. However, we recommend placing bets on a trusted and reputable bookmaker to have a fantastic world cup betting experience.
Let’s briefly discuss the Betus review of how it went down in each game in Group A.
Qatar Vs. Ecuador – Sunday, November 20, 2022
The first match of Group A saw debutant and host nation Qatar play against Ecuador, who made their fourth appearance (2002, 2006, 2014, 2022) at the World Cup.
With over 67,000 fans attending the Al Bayt stadium, the South Americans registered their first win of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, defeating Qatar 2-0.
Ecuador’s Forward Enner Valencia lit up the occasion in the third minute, scoring a header that was later ruled out for offside.
The Veteran striker finally opened the scoring in the 16th minute, calmly sending the ball past Qatar’s goalkeeper Al Sheeb.
La Tri doubled their lead through Valencia again, benefitting from Angelo Preciado’s cross and putting the resulting header past Al Sheeb in the 31st minute. The first-half goals were all the Ecuadorians needed to bag the first three points of the competition.
The Defeat meant that the Qatari team became the first host country to lose their opening match.
Senegal Vs. Netherlands – Monday, November 21, 2022
Senegal and the Netherlands faced off in the second game from Group A, a day after Ecuador beat the host nation.
It was the first outing for the Netherlands since 2014, and they made it count on their return, defeating African Champions Senegal 2-0.
The Flying Dutchmen were dominant in the first half of the game but saw no result from the hard work against the Lions of Teranga, who were without star man Sadio Mane due to injury.
Coming into the second half, Senegal created a few opportunities to put themselves up but couldn’t convert, and you could tell they missed the threat Mane offered in front of the goal.
The hope of the African team was dashed in the 84th minute as Cody Gakpo converted a beautiful Frenkie de Jong cross to put Holland ahead.
Davy Klaassen ensured that Senegal had no chance of salvaging a point in the encounter, tapping in late in injury time from a Memphis Depay shot, which Eduardo Mendy couldn’t keep.
The win meant the Netherlands shared the top spot with Ecuador, who also won 2-0 in their first game.
You can watch the game’s highlight between the Netherlands and Senegal here:
Qatar Vs. Senegal – Friday, November 25, 2022
Both teams entered this contest hoping to win their first 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, Senegal came out top winning 3-1, which eliminated the host nation from the tournament.
The Qatari team held on until the 41st minute before Senegal took the lead through Boulaye Dia, the only goal in the first half.
Eight minutes into the second half, the African Cup of Nations winner doubled their lead after Ismail Jakobs’ corner met Camara Diedhiou, who sent his header past the goalkeeper.
Al Thumama Stadium came alive in the 78 minutes as Mohammed Muntari scored Qatar’s first tournament goal, putting a thunderous header into the opposition’s net.
However, substitute Bamba Dieng compounded the Qatari team’s misery by making it three in the 84 minutes to consign the host to the bottom of group A after two games.
Netherlands Vs. Ecuador – Friday, November 25, 2022
The Netherlands played a 1-1 draw with Ecuador in their second Group A game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Cody Gakpo’s Strike in the 6th minute put Louis Van Gaal’s side ahead but couldn’t find the back of the net again through the 90 minutes duration.
On the other hand, South American side Ecuador gave an excellent fight to share the spoils against the Netherlands after Enner Valencia slotted home in the 49th minute, making it his third in this tournament.
The result meant that the Netherlands and Ecuador stayed at joint top of Group A with four points after two games and were followed closely by Senegal with three points.
Ecuador Vs. Senegal – Tuesday, November 29, 2022
In a crucial contest for both sides, as a win would result in the round of 16, Senegal was victorious.
The Lions of Teranga won 2-1 against the South Americans, making it Ecuador’s second consecutive group stage exit – the previous coming in 2014.
The first goal came through Ismaila Sarr in the 44th minute, who earned a spot kick and scored, beating goalkeeper Hernan Galindez. Ecuador got back in the game as Moises Caicedo’s 67th-minute strike would have been enough for the South Americans to make the next round.
However, Senegal, determined to make a statement in the contest, restored their lead three minutes later. Captain Kalidou Koulibaly was the man who took advantage of a corner to send the ball into the net.
The African Champions finished Group A in the second position with six points from three games after eliminating Ecuador.
The Netherlands Vs. Qatar Tuesday, November 29, 2022
The final game of Group A between the Netherlands and host nation Qatar was a comfortable victory for the Dutch side.
With 4 points garnered, they knew a win over the Qatar team with no points would make them the table topper.
They delivered on their side and secured the top spot, beating Qatar 2-0 at the Al Bayt Stadium.
The Qataris threatened a few times in the first half before they were hit with Cody Gakpo’s brilliant goal in the 26 minutes, making it three goals in three games for the youngster. Frenkie de Jong doubled the Dutch’s lead four minutes into the second half, sealing the game and the top position for Louis Van Gaal’s boys.
Conclusion
The Round of 16 Clash will see Group A leaders Netherlands face the United States of America while Senegal battles England in what is expected to be an exciting contest.
