Senegal and Netherlands will be looking to extend World Cup streaks when they go head to head in Group A on Monday.

The two nations would have been interested onlookers on Sunday as Ecuador made light work of Qatar in the tournament's opening game.

However, their focus will now be on their encounter in Doha as they bid to take a significant step towards qualifying for the knockout rounds.

Despite Senegal's emergence on the global scene over the past two decades, these two teams have never squared off on the international stage.

Furthermore, the Lions of Teranga and Oranje have also never suffered defeat in their opening match at a World Cup.

© Reuters

Netherlands are competing at their ninth tournament, winning six of their first matches and drawing the other two, while Senegal have defeated France and Poland in their respective openers.

As well as those particular unbeaten runs being on the line at the Al Thumama Stadium, the teams have not lost to opponents from the other's continent at the group stage of a World Cup.

Netherlands have played African teams on four occasions in all phases of the competition, coming through those encounters with three victories and one draw, the most recent success coming against Cameroon in the 2010 group stages.

Meanwhile, Senegal have played European opposition three times in the round robin, beating France and Poland and drawing with Denmark.

They also defeated Sweden in the last 16 of the 2002 tournament before succumbing to an extra-time defeat to Turkey in the quarter-finals.

Written by
Darren Plant