Senegal and the Netherlands face each other this Monday, at 1 pm (Brasília time), closing the first round of Group A of the 2022 World Cup. The match will be at the Al Thumama stadium, in Doha, Qatar.
Whoever wins the match will share the leadership of the group with Ecuador, who defeated Qatar by 2-0, in the opening game of the 2022 World Cup. The game will be refereed by a Brazilian trio, formed by referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio and assistants Bruno Boschilia and Bruno Pires.
Without Sadio Mané, cut on the eve of his debut in the Cup, Senegal arrives with the status of champion of the African Cup of Nations, a title conquered in February. The Lions of Teranga seek to maintain the record of victories in the Cup debuts. In 2002, Senegal beat France 1-0, who were the defending champions. In 2018, they defeated Poland 2-1.
In the debut, coach Aliou Cissé has left-back Ballo Touré, who is injured. With that, Cissé must improvise right-back Sabaly in the sector. Hastily called, full-back Moussa NDiaye is only available for the team’s second game. Monaco striker Diatta takes over from Sadio Mane.
After third place in Brazil, in 2014, and being out of the 2018 Cup, Holland is back in the World Cup. Coach Louis van Gaal’s team comes from 15 games without defeat and could surprise in Qatar. Laranja Mecânica has not lost in World Cup debuts since 1938. In the eight appearances since then, there have been six wins and two draws.
One of the highlights of the team, striker Depay, from Barcelona, will start the match on the bench. The player comes from a left thigh injury and will be preserved in his debut. Vincent Janssen takes over in attack alongside Bergwijn.
– More than 2.5 goals
Neither team is a reference when it comes to defensive football, the same cannot be said when it comes to attack, as the Netherlands has averaged more than two goals per game in the last six matches. Senegal have scored at least one goal in their last eleven games.
Both teams score
The Senegalese defense must suffer from the Dutch offensive power, however, the African team’s attack has also scored at least one goal in the last eleven duels. In addition, the Netherlands have conceded at least one goal in six of their last eight games. Therefore, the probability of both teams scoring goals is high.
