Host nation Qatar was on the brink of an early exit from its own World Cup on Friday after a 3-1 loss to Senegal.
Goals either side of half-time from Boule Dia and Famara Didihou gave Senegal the lead before Qatar’s substitute Mohamed Muntari set up a dramatic finish in the 78th minute.
Senegal substitute Bamba Dieng put the result beyond doubt six minutes later and lifted the African champions, who beat the Netherlands 2–0, back into contention in Group A.
Down side Qatar will have to face defeat if they are to avoid following South Africa in 2010 as hosting only their second World Cup after the first round.
If Ecuador fails to beat the Netherlands at the end of the day, their elimination will be confirmed, making Qatar the first World Cup host to go out after two matches.
Qatar made a nervous start to the tournament, losing 2–0 to Ecuador, and they looked tentative again against Senegal.
The Asian champions dropped their goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb to the bench after a poor performance in the first match.
His replacement Meshal Barsham didn’t inspire much confidence in the opening period, fluttering over a corner as Senegal pushed for the opening goal.
Ismaila Sarr and Nampalys Mendy had already missed chances to score for Senegal by then, and Idrissa Gana Gueye and Youssef Sabli missed more as the first half wore on.
– Qatar almost out –
Qatar spent the opening 45 minutes on the back foot, but a rare break forward saw Akram Afif miss a penalty after being bundled up by Sarr.
Senegal looked like they would go into half-time without managing to break Qatar’s resistance, only for the hosts to gift them a goal in the 41st minute.
Qatari defender Boualem Koukhi feigned a clearance to leave Diya to pounce on the loose ball and fire past Barsham.
Senegal doubled their lead soon after the break when Dideu saw a header at the near post from a corner.
Qatar started to show more attacking ambition from two goals down and Afif was involved in everything.
Almoez Ali forced a save past Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy before the Chelsea man saved the Africans again from Ismail Mohamed’s effort.
Mendy was rooted to his line when Muntari pulled one back for Qatar, powerfully heading home Mohammed’s cross to put the hosts back in the lead.
The goal lifted the crowd and put Qatar ahead in search of another, but Dieng nipped the revival in the bud in the 84th minute when he fired the ball home for Senegal’s third.
Abdelkarim Hassan fired a free-kick just outside the post as Qatar tried to hit back but Senegal held on to see out the win.