After losing to Senegal 3-1, World Cup hosts Qatar are again facing the prospect of leaving the competition early.

After being defeated 2-0 by Ecuador in their initial Group A match, Qatar's late charge on Friday at Al Thumama Stadium fell short of securing a crucial victory.

Senegal had the upper hand after goals from Boulaye Dia and Famara Diedhiou, so Qatar's first World Cup goal from Mohammed Muntari gave them hope.

After Senegal had a strong start, the raucous Qatar supporters seated behind Edouard Mendy's goal were incensed in the 34th minute when Akram Afif was allegedly fouled by Ismaila Sarr. However, referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz rejected the seeming legitimate penalty appeals.

However, just as Qatar had gotten comfortable in the game, Boualem Khoukhi's catastrophic error was made evident when his clearance fell to Dia, who finished calmly and without error.

269 - #Senegal 🇸🇳 have ended a run of 269 minutes without scoring at the #WorldCup, their longest scoring drought since 124 minutes from June 16, 2002 to June 19, 2018. Lions.#FIFAWorldCup #FIFAWorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/VTlndy8LHf

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 25, 2022

Qatar's hopes were dealt a further blow three minutes into the second half – Diedhiou turning in Ismail Jakobs' inswinging corner.

Senegal had Mendy to thank for two excellent stops as Qatar searched for a goal back, the Chelsea goalkeeper brilliantly denying Almoez Ali and Ismaeel Mohammad.

Muntari's superb header four minutes after coming on set up a grandstand finish, yet Dieng swept home to strike the decisive blow and leave Qatar on the brink.

What does it mean? Little hope for hosts

Qatar won the Asian Cup in 2019, and given they had three more years to build ahead of this tournament, they would have been hoping to put on a show on home turf.

However, despite their efforts, the hosts have not yet met the standards needed.

Qatar is on the verge of leaving after defeat. If Ecuador and the Netherlands draw in their other Group A match on Friday, or if the Oranje triumph, they will be eliminated.

Now, the Netherlands' only chance of moving on is if Qatar can get lucky and defeat the Netherlands in their final group game the following week. Even that might not be enough.

Senegal find their shooting boots

Senegal and coach Aliou Cisse have been forced to rely on the back-up squad in Qatar since losing star attacker Sadio Mane.

On Friday, they stepped up and delivered, with Dia's goal ending a stretch of 31 shots without a World Cup goal.

Senegal was more precise this time, scoring three goals on just 0.8xG. (compared to one goal from 0.9 xG for Qatar).

Blunt Qatar pay the price

Ali's shot, saved by Mendy, midway through the second half was Qatar's first attempt on target of the tournament.

They ultimately finished with three efforts on target in this match, but the lack of composure in front of goal – and the shortage of creativity to get there on many occasions – was evident.

Key Opta stats

- Qatar have become the first host nation to lose two matches in a single group round of a World Cup.

- Senegal scored three goals in a World Cup match for a second time, after a 3-3 draw with Uruguay in 2002. This was also the first time they won a World Cup game by a margin of more than one goal, in what was their 10th match at the finals.

- Qatar became only the third host nation to concede three goals in a single group-stage game, after South Africa in 2010 and Russia in 2018 (both 3-0 defeats to Uruguay).

- Senegal became the first African side to beat the host nation at a World Cup; all of the previous four instances of an African side facing the hosts had seen them lose by an aggregate 12-2 score.

- Aged 29 years and 345 days, Diedhiou became the oldest Senegal player ever to score at the World Cup.