Group A World Cup 2022 final standings: Who qualified for the round of 16 and who is out?
The first two teams booked their place in the knockout stage at Qatar 2022 and another two bow out.
It’s all looking much clearer in Group A which was resolved after Tuesday’s matches, the third and final games in the group.
Cody Gakpo put the Netherlands ahead on 26 minutes in their meeting with Qatar at Al Bayt stadium, then Frenkie de Jong poked home a second after the break as the Oranje eased to a 2-0 win over the hosts. They didn’t need to do any more other than avoid any injuries and reserve their energies for the next round.
Simultaneously, over at Khalifa International Stadium, Ecuador had frustrated Senegal, snuffing out every attack and crowding their opponents whenever they lost possession for much of the opening 45 minutes but the tables were turned just before half-time when the Africans were awarded a penalty after Piero Reyna fouled Ismaila Sarr. The Watford forward confidently tucked his spot-kick away to put Senegal into the driving seat and crucially, nudge Ecuador from second place in the group.
It all went a little bit crazy after the interval when Moisés Caicedo pulled the South Americans back level - a draw being enough to send them through. It was short-lived however - Koulibaly, wearing an armband in memory of his old team mate Papa Bouba Diop, restored Senegal’s lead two minutes later as it ended 1-2 on the final whistle after six nerve-racking minutes of stoppage-time.
That’s how it ended - the Netherlands top Group A on seven points with Senegal taking second place on six points.
Ecuador, who finish third on four points, and Qatar on zero points both wave goodbye to the 2022 World Cup.
Qatar were already eliminated prior to kick-off after losing both of their opening games.
Who goes through?
- The Netherlands go through as winners of Group A and as top seeds in the next round
- Senegal go through as runners-up of Group A but as an unseeded team in the next round
- Ecuador, who ended third in the group and Qatar, who ended fourth, are both eliminated.
The Last 16
As winners of Group A, the Netherlands will face the runners-up of Group B (USMNT) at Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday 3 December. Senegal meanwhile will face England, the winners of Group B, the following day, Sunday 4 December, at Al Bayt Stadium.