New Delhi: The FIFA World Cup started with a bang on Sunday when teams like Qatar and Ecuador locked horns against each other. Enner Valencia’s two goals helped Ecuador seal a commanding 2-0 win over hosts Qatar.
On Monday, Senegal will be playing against the Netherlands. Having failed to qualify for the 2016 European Championship and the 2018 World Cup, the Netherlands are back among Europe's elite. The three-time World Cup runners-up secured a berth in Qatar by finishing top of their qualifying group with seven wins, two draws and one defeat, two points ahead of second-placed Turkey.
Senegal on the other side, are Africa's highest-ranked team (18th) and have lost just one of their past eight matches. The Lions of Teranga will be aiming to become the first African team to progress beyond the quarterfinal stage at a World Cup. The feat was achieved by Cameroon in 1990, Ghana in 2010 and Senegal themselves in 2002.
Here are the facts you need to know ahead of the Senegal- Netherlands clash:
1. This is for the very first time that Senegal and the Netherlands will play against each other.
2. In their last eight opening games at the FIFA World Cup, the Netherlands are unbeaten. Senegal on the other side has also sealed victories in both of their openers.
3. This will be Senegal’s third appearance at the FIFA World Cup. They have made it to the quarter-finals in 2002.
4. The Netherlands have gained victories in 11 of their last 14 matches at the FIFA World Cup. The only time they got outplayed was back in the 2010 final against Spain.