Matchday 10 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup was a combative one, with every game hotly contested.
Match 35
Ecuador v Senegal
Senegal snatched a place in the round of 16 from opponents Ecuador with a dramatic 2-1 win in their final Group A match.
With both sides needing a win to progress to the knockout stages alongside the group-topping Netherlands, Watford star Ismaila Sarr drew a penalty in the dying minutes of the first half and kept his composure from the spot to put the Lions of Teranga a goal up at the break.
Despite Senegal having more of the chances, Ecuador dominated in possession and got their reward midway through the second stanza when an unmarked Moises Caicedo tapped in at the back post off a corner to equalise for the South Americans.
The relief would only last three minutes, however, as captain Kalidou Koulibaly restored Senegal's lead with his first ever international goal, finding the end of a set-piece to calmly slot it past Ecuador gloveman Hernan Galindez from close range.
The victory for Aliou Cissé's side will set up a date with Group B-toppers England in the last 16.
Match 36
Netherlands v Qatar
Qatar made more unwanted history in their final World Cup group match by becoming the first-ever host nation to lose all three games in the tournament - culminating in a 2-0 loss to the Netherlands.
The European side cruised into the last 16 on top of Group A, opening the scoring against the hosts via Cody Gakpo as the PSV winger blitzed through the Qatari defence and calmly slotted past goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham to net his third for the tournament.
Although the AFC affiliates were competitive in patches, they were no match for a rampant Dutch outfit, who doubled their advantage only four minutes into the second half courtesy of Frenkie de Jong, as the Barcelona midfielder capitalised on a lapse in concentration from the Qatari defence to follow up Memphis Depay's saved effort.
The Oranje continued to threaten the sluggish-looking host nation, having a goal disallowed late in the second half but having already done the damage early in the match.
The Netherlands' group-topping effort, finishing on seven points with two wins and a draw, sets up a mouth-watering round of 16 encounter with the USA, who took the final qualification slot in Group B.
Match 34
Iran v USA
USA snatched a round of 16 slot from Iran in Group B with a dramatic 1-0 victory in their final group match of Qatar 2022.
In a tense opening half, Iran survived a string of USA attacks before the latter finally opened the scoring seven minutes out from the interval, with Chelsea star Christian Pulisic putting his body on the line to head it past Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, moments before the two got entangled in a nasty collision. Pulisic was subbed off in the 45th minute as a result.
The chances kept coming for Gregg Berhalter's men in the second 45 minutes, with the AFC nation holding firm in defence but barely managing to get a look in on goal, salvaging only two shots after 75 minutes compared to USA's 11.
The momentum, however, turned in Iran's favour in the dying minutes with a pair of desperate attempts from long range in search of an equaliser.
Their final chance of the match, when the USA defence came to goalkeeper Matt Turner's rescue after a long ball found its way over the top, ultimately arrived too late as the Americans hung on to set up a meeting with the Netherlands in the final 16.
Match 33
Wales v England
England cruised to the top of Group B in their final group match of the tournament, eliminating constituent country Wales with a 3-0 victory to finish on seven points with two wins and a draw.
In a first half short of highlights, the Three Lions looked in control of the match from the outset as the midfield trio of Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Jordan Henderson maintained the majority of possession.
With Gareth Southgate's men looking threatening on the attack in passages during the first half, they were eventually rewarded five minutes after the interval as Marcus Rashford slotted home a stunning free-kick to open the scoring.
Just moments later, Manchester City star Foden doubled England's advantage after finding the end of an incisive cross from captain Harry Kane, while Rashford piled on the misery for Wales with his second of the match following a blistering run and shot down the right wing, which found its way through the legs of Welsh goalkeeper Danny Ward.
The convincing win for the Three Lions sets up a meeting with Senegal in the Round of 16.
