Qatar scores 3-1 defeat to Senegal in Group A

Ismaila Sarr of Senegal broke into the box from the right three minutes into the game, but his shot hit the net at a tight angle. Few counterattack possibilities presented themselves as Qatar was pinned down in their own half, and none of them put any pressure on the Senegal defence until Akram Afif's potent effort from just outside the box went over the crossbar in the 15th minute.

After a quick break, Krepin Diatta cut into the box from the left and shot toward the near post, but Qatar goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham saved it. Afif crammed into the area and collided with Sarr in the 34th minute, but Spanish referee Antonio Mateu refused to award a penalty or even consult the VAR. After becoming the first team to lose the opening game, Qatar recorded the worst World Cup record as hosts with two losses in their first two games.