Senegal beat the United Arab Emirates 3-1 in their Group C match at the Los Pynandi Stadium in Asuncion on Tuesday to qualify for the quarterfinals of the 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay.

Goals from Mamadou Sylla, Ninou Diatta and Raoul Mendy sealed victory for the West Africans which also saw them finish top of the group. Ali Karim got the only goal for the UAE.

The result also eliminated the UAE from the tournament while two-time champions Russia finished second in the group, behind Senegal, following a 5-3 win against Belarus.

Senegal has now qualified for its second consecutive Beach Soccer World Cup quarterfinals and has appeared in the knockout stage in four of the seven World Cups in which they have played in.

Senegal, Africa’s remaining representative at the tournament, will play against Portugal in the last eight on Thursday at the same venue, avoiding powerhouse Brazil.

In Group D, Nigeria lost 12-2 to defending champions Brazil at the same venue. Nigeria, who had a player sent off, finished the tournament without a point after losing all of its three group matches.

After a tight opening two periods in which Nigeria trailed the 14-time champions 3-2, Brazil extended its lead in the third period to seal an emphatic win. Egan-Osi Ekujumi and captain Azeez Abu scored for the Nigerians while Rodrigo netted a hat-trick for Brazil.

Brazil will play Russia in the first quarterfinal.

Source: FIFA