Ecuador were far happier with this draw because after conceding early Gustavo Alfaro’s team played front-foot football that went close to administering a fatal blow to the Netherlands.
They did not but the result means that Qatar are eliminated from their own World Cup and become the first nation out at the group stage, while Ecuador and the Netherlands each have four points and Senegal three. As Louis van Gaal’s side face the pointless hosts in their final match, the meeting of Ecuador and Senegal appears a straight shootout to see who progresses to the last 16. Ecuador are favourites given that they require a draw and after seriously rattling Dutch confidence they should surge. Particularly impressive was how they responded to Cody Gakpo’s opener, turning in a display of muscular attacking and pressing that sucked energy and composure from their opponents.
