On Sunday, the Al Bayt Stadium will host another match of the Round of 16 of the World Cup 2022, featuring England and Senegal. Here, check out what would happen if the Three Lions lose this matchup.
A strong second-half performance against Wales in midweek saw England prove their naysayers wrong once again to progress from Group B as winners into the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup. As a result, England supporters will be rooting for their team to make it all the way to Qatar . They will face Group A runners-up Senegal in the last 16 as the African nation progressed by defeating Ecuador in their final group stage match.
With a perfect 20-20 record against African teams in international competition, the Three Lions will go into this match full of confidence. However, Senegal will offer strong competition, certainly feeling significantly less pressure than their opponents as this is only their second appearance in the knockout rounds of the World Cup.
What’s more, with many of the Senegalese players under contract with English teams, they will be keen to make a statement by pulling off an upset. Despite the absence of Sadio Mane, the Lions of Teranga still have plenty of top professionals including Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly, Leicester’s Nampalys Mendy and Watford’s Ismaila Sarr. Despite the punters favoring England, this year’s World Cup has shown us that ‘nothing is impossible’.
What would happen if England lose to Senegal in the Qatar 2022 Round of 16?
Quite simply, if the English national soccer team suffer a defeat, they would be knocked out of the tournament in the last 16. For the World Cup, the Knockout Round consists of one-game playoffs.
Therefore, there is no opportunity to win the series by taking game two. There is no room for a mistake in this win-or-go-home approach. For Gareth Southgate’s squad to advance to the Quarter-Finals, they must win in regular time, after extra time, or after successfully taking a penalty series.
