Ecuador vs Senegal World Cup lineup, starting 11 for Group A match at Qatar 2022

Toby Miles

Ecuador vs Senegal World Cup lineup, starting 11 for Group A match at Qatar 2022 image

It's winner takes all as Senegal face Ecuador, with a Round of 16 spot waiting if either side can grab all three points. 

With Netherlands leading Group A and expected to sweep the already eliminated Qatar team aside, the runners-up spot in Group A is all to play for. 

Ecuador have the advantage: a draw will be enough for them. Senegal simply must win or  —  bar a freak result between the hosts and the Netherlands  — they'll be flying back home. 

Below are the confirmed lineups for both teams based on the latest news leading up to the match.

MORE: Netherlands vs. Qatar live: World Cup score, highlights, result from 2022 Group A match

Ecuador vs Senegal lineups

Gustavo Alfaro has insisted his Ecuador team won't simply play for a draw on Tuesday. Alfaro wants to go into the Round of 16 winning.

Enner Valencia's three goals in Qatar have only been matched by France superstar Kylian Mbappe. The Ecuador captain fired two past Qatar and another against the Netherlands. 

The striker has been the target of some tough tackles and admitted he "played with pain" during their second match  —  going off on a stretcher in the final minutes. A knee sprain was the diagnosis. 

But Valencia has been passed fit to start against Senegal. Alfaro said: "He has a big heart and wants to be in every battle for our national team. His leadership is something that we always need."

Alfaro has made two changes, with Alan Franco and Carlos Gruezo coming into the side alongside Moises Caicedo in midfield, replacing Jackson Porozo and the suspended Jhegson Sebastian Mendez.

For Senegal, Cheikhou Kouyate remains absent after being carried off on a stretcher in his nation's opener.

Pape Gueye, Pathe Ciss and Iliman Ndiaye come into the side, with Nampalys Mendy, Krepin Diatta and Famara Diedhiou dropping out.

Here are the confirmed starting lineups for both teams ahead of their match at the Khalifa International Stadium.

Ecuador confirmed starting 11

Ecuador (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Galindez (GK) — 17. Preciado, 2. F. Torres, 3. Hincapie, 7. Estupinan —  21. Franco, 8. Gruezo, 23. Caicedo — 19. Plata, 11. Estrada, 13. Valencia.

  • Suspended: Jhegson Mendez

Senegal confirmed starting 11

(4-2-3-1, right to left): 16. E. Mendy (GK) — 21. Sabaly, 3. Koulibaly, 14. Jakobs, 22. Diallo — 26. P Gueye, 5. I. Gueye — 11. P Ciss, 18. I. Sarr, 13. Ndiaye — 9. Dia

  • Injured: Cheikhou Kouyate, Sadio Mane (out for tournament)
  • Suspended: None

Senegal's attacking plans were obliterated when Sadio Mane was ruled out of the 2022 tournament. Now their midfield has taken a hit too, with Cheikhou Kouyate injured. 

The Nottingham Forest star landed awkwardly after challenging for the ball during the opener against Netherlands, and was taken off on a stretcher. He was sidelined for the Qatar game and will miss the Ecuador match as well. 

Ecuador vs Senegal World Cup squads

Here are all the names on Ecuador and Senegal's current World Cup squad in Qatar (Caps correct as of start of Qatar 2022):

Ecuador

Position Player Club Age Caps
Goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez Deportes Tolima (ECU) 35 67
Goalkeeper Hernan Galindez Aucas (ECU) 35 12
Goalkeeper Moises Ramirez Independiente (ECU) 22 2
Defender Robert Arboleda Sao Paulo (BRA) 31 32
Defender Xavier Arreaga Seattle Sounders (USA) 28 17
Defender Pervis Estupinan Brighton (ENG) 24 28
Defender Piero Hincapie Bayer Leverkusen (GER) 20 21
Defender William Pacho Royal Antwerp (BEL) 21 0
Defender Diego Palacios LAFC (USA) 23 11
Defender Jackson Porozo Troyes (FRA) 22 5
Defender Angelo Preciado Genk (BEL) 24 25
Defender Felix Torres Santos Laguna (MEX) 25 16
Midfielder Moises Caicedo Brighton (ENG) 20 25
Midfielder Jose Cifuentes LAFC (USA) 23 10
Midfielder Alan Franco Talleres (ARG) 24 23
Midfielder Carlos Gruezo Augsburg (GER) 27 45
Midfielder Jhegson Mendez LAFC (USA) 25 31
Midfielder Ayrton Preciado Santos Laguna (MEX) 28 27
Midfielder Jeremy Sarmiento Brighton (ENG) 20 9
Forward Michael Estrada Cruz Azul (MEX) 26 36
Forward Romario Ibarra Pachuca (MEX) 28 24
Forward Angel Mena Club Leon (MEX) 34 45
Forward Gonzalo Plata Real Valladolid (SPA) 21 29
Forward Djorkaeff Reasco Newell's Old Boys (ARG) 23 3
Forward Kevin Rodriguez Imbabura SC (ECU) 22 0
Forward Enner Valencia Fenerbahce (TUR) 33 74

Senegal

Position Player Club Age Caps
Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy Chelsea (ENG) 30 25
Goalkeeper Alfred Gomis Rennes (FRA) 29 14
Goalkeeper Seny Dieng  QPR (ENG) 27 3
Defender Kalidou Koulibaly Chelsea (ENG)  31 63
Defender Pape Abou Cisse Olympiacos (GRE) 27 12
Defender Abdou Diallo  RB Leipzig (GER) 26 18
Defender Fode Ballo-Toure AC Milan (ITA) 25 14
Defender Formose Mendy Amiens (FRA) 21 2
Defender Ismail Jakobs Monaco (FRA) 23 1
Defender Youssouf Sabaly Real Betis (SPA) 29 24
Defender Moussa Ndiaye Anderlecht (BEL) 20 0
Midfielder Idrissa Gueye  Everton (ENG) 33 95
Midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate Nottingham Forest (ENG)  32 82
Midfielder Nampalys Mendy Leicester City (ENG) 30 18
Midfielder Pape Gueye  Marseille (FRA)  23 11
Midfielder Pape Matar Sarr Tottenham (ENG)  20 8
Midfielder Mamadou Loum N'Diaye Reading (ENG) 25 3
Midfielder Moustapha Name Pafos (CYP) 27 6
Midfielder Pathe Ciss Rayo Vallecano (SPA) 28 0
Forward Ismalia Sarr Watford (ENG) 24 47
Forward Boulaye Dia Salernitana (ITA)  25 18
Forward Bamba Dieng Marseille (FRA) 22 12
Forward Iliman Ndiaye Sheffield United (ENG) 27 14
Forward Famara Diedhou Alanyaspor (TUR) 29 24
Forward Krepin Diatta  Monaco (FRA)  23 25
Forward Nicolas Jackson Villarreal (SPA) 21 22

Toby Miles

Toby Miles Photo

Toby joined Sporting News in 2022 ahead of the World Cup, bringing previous sports writing experience at MailOnline and UEFA. An Englishman and Chelsea fan still fuming about Frank Lampard's 2010 ghost goal but never afraid to say 'It's Coming Home'.