Qatar was already the first host nation to lose the opening match of a FIFA World Cup, now they own the worst performance of any host nation in the tournament's history.
Already in the books as one of the most-controversial World Cups, due to the bidding process, heat, a number of human rights issues and even the lack of alcohol in stadiums, the national football team also failed to cover itself in any glory.
A 2-0 loss to The Netherlands ended a shocking tournament for the side, as it languished at the bottom of Group A. A solitary goal against African champion Senegal, in their second match, was all it had to show for the home tournament.
The scenes of fans leaving the Al Bayt Stadium early as the Dutch easily accounted for the hosts — with goals to Cody Gakpo and Frenkie de Jong either side of half-time — were reminiscent of the tournament for the host nation, on and off the pitch.
Complaints from other nations about Qatar's laws against homosexuality, and the silencing of those looking to protest by governing body FIFA has painted a poor picture off the field.
On the field, the three losses — 2-0 to the Dutch and Ecuador and 3-1 to Senegal — made Qatar the first host nation to lose all three matches at the tournament.
The Dutch — who finished with seven points from their three group games — will be joined in the final 16 by Senegal, who knocked out Ecuador, defeating them 2-1, to end up second, on six points.
Meanwhile, the Qataris were eliminated after their 3-1 loss to Senegal and, despite huge investment in state-of-the-art facilities to host the World Cup, they came up short again on the pitch.
Against The Netherlands, they were not without their moments in a dull first half, forcing a couple of corners and threatening on the edge of the Dutch area, but no sooner had they bared their teeth than they were hit with a gut-punch of a goal by Gakpo.
Davy Klaassen played an inviting ball into the path of Gakpo and he received it at pace, slicing through the heart of the defence before dispatching a well-placed shot past Meshaal Bersham to open the scoring in the 26th minute.
Four minutes into the second half, the Dutch struck again, as a cross from Klaassen made its way to Depay, and the Qatari defence was caught ball-watching as his shot was saved, allowing de Jong to bundle it into the net.
With Qatar lacking the quality to mount a comeback, the Dutch had a goal ruled out after Gakpo was judged to have handled the ball in the build-up, but they still coasted to victory.
The final whistle signalled the start of the short wait for the Dutch to find out which of the Group B teams — England, Wales, Iran or the United States — they will meet in the last 16.
Senegal stunning against Ecuador
Joining the Dutch in the final 16 are Senegal, who outclassed Ecuador in what was the battle for second place in Group A.
After a marauding start from Senegal, Ecuador began to find its feet only to be stunned by a penalty in the 44th minute of the first half.
Winger Ismaila Sarr was clattered into by Ecaudor defender Piero Hincapie after getting a touch and the referee had no choice but to point to the spot.
Sarr then kept his cool to slot it home past a stagnant Hernan Galindez in the Ecuador goal and give Senegal a 1-0 half-time lead in front of a raucous group of fans at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Ecuador, who needed only a draw to reach the knockout rounds, equalised through Moises Caicedo in the 67th minute as he tapped the ball in at the far post.
That joy for the South Americans lasted only three minutes though as Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly restored the lead, which the side was able to hold onto for the remainder for the match.
The South American side failed to clear a corner and the ball fell kindly for Koulibaly to volley into the net from six yards.
The beating of African drums was constant in the stadium as was the effort and endeavour of Senegal, who dominated the opening period against an opponent happy to sit back and try to soak up the pressure.
The flow of the game changed in the second period as it was Senegal who were happy to sit back and a desperate Ecuador pressed for an equaliser that would not come.
ABC/Wires
