Cisse's men have knockout know-how to give Three Lions plenty to ponder

WHEN England play their first knockout game of this World Cup, they will be taking on a side who have, effectively, already played their own and come through it with flying colours.

- Malik Ouzia at Khalifa International Stadium

This was impressive stuff from Senegal, who beat Ecuador at the Khalifa International Stadium yesterday in a game the African champions had to win to nab the runners-up spot in Group A and set up what, even before England's win over Wales, always looked likely to be a clash with Gareth Southgate's side.

A point would have been enough for Ecuador, who were favourites to advance after two eye-catching performances but found themselves almost entirely nullified by a team who, under Aliou Cisse, have developed as much knockout nous and experience as any side here.

Four years ago, Senegal bowed out of the group stage on the farcical tiebreaker of fair play but have since reached two Africa Cup of Nations finals, winning the most recent, as well as coming through a do-or-die qualification play-off against Egypt to reach Qatar. "We're used to playing these kinds of games," Cisse said yesterday.