World Cup 2022: Chelsea Send Kalidou Koulibaly Message After Defender Powered Senegal to the Round of 16

• Chelsea led Blues fans in paying tribute to Kalidou Koulibaly after the defender sent Senegal to the knockout round of the World Cup
• The Teranga Lions were in need of three points during their Group A clash with Ecuador on Tuesday evening, November 29
• Moises Caicedo's equaliser for Ecuador left the Africans facing an early exit from the Mundial before Koulibaly netted the winner

Premier League giants Chelsea have sent Kalidou Koulibaly a beautiful message, after the defender helped Senegal book a spot in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup.

Koulibaly was the man of the moment during their final Group A fixture against Ecuador on Tuesday evening, November 29.

The Lions of Teranga needed nothing short of three points during the encounter to stand a chance of reaching the knockouts.

Aliou Cisse's side kicked off the match on a bright note as they took the lead in the 44th minute via Ismaila Sarr, who broke the deadlock from the penalty spot.

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However, the reigning African champions conceded in the 67th minute, when Brighton ace Moises Caicedo restored parity for Ecuador.

Senegal had to rely on a magical moment from Koulibaly to down the Ecuadorians, with the Chelsea defender restoring his side's lead in the 70th minute.

His goal was enough to book Senegal a spot in the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup with six points, a point behind the Netherlands, who finished as group winners.

Chelsea were quick to lead tributes for Koulibaly, with the west London club tweeting:

"Great finish, Kalidou!"

Kalidou Koulibaly pays tribute

Earlier, Sports Brief had reported how Senegal captain Koulibaly wore a special armband to pay tribute to the late Papa Bouba Diop, who passed away two years earlier.

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The Chelsea star wrote 19 on his armband, the jersey number of the legendary forward. Diop died on November 29, 2020 at the age of 42 after losing his battle with illness.

The legendary striker scored Senegal's first-ever goal at the World Cup, with his winner for the African nation against France at the 2002 tournament.