Friday's player of the day: Muntari scores Qatar's first-ever World Cup goal

The Saudis managed to get a result against Lionel Messi's Argentina on Tuesday, while the Saumrai Blue beat 2014 champions Germany 2-1 on Wednesday.

Qatar, the team of the host nation, haven't enjoyed quite the same success - but they did have their moment in the limelight today.

Despite losing 3-1 to Senegal, the Qataris can celebrate their first-ever goal at a World Cup, scored by Mohammed Muntari.

The striker, who was born on the African continent, scored against the reigning AFCON title holders just four minutes after being brought off the bench for Qatar captain Hassan Al-Haydos.

Muntari's goal was well taken, and arrived during a good period of pressure by the hosts, rising to a splendid Ismaeel Mohammad cross ahead of Kalidou Koulibaly and nodding beyond Edouard Mendy.

Not too longer after the final whistle sounded on Qatar's defeat to Senegal, the Netherlands and Ecuador would play out a 1-1 draw, ensuring the host nation's elimination.

Perhaps, having not only appeared in the finals of a World Cup - albeit by way of hosting - but also scoring, the current Qatari squad could inspire a new generation of footballers.

And, along with his team-mates, coaches and supporters, that's down to Muntari.

Shortly after the Netherlands and Ecuador match finished, Qatar manager Felix Sanchez said: "The World Cup will finish, but football will continue here.

"It's a football country and they want to keep developing young talent so they can reach the senior team. We can keep on competing within our limitations in Asia.

"By doing that, we'll get more experience and we'll be able to play in more competitions like this."