Qatar could be out of the World Cup as early as Friday. (Photo courtesy of FIFA)

Host Qatar scored its very first goal in World Cup history, but the national team found itself on the brink of elimination from the tournament after suffering a 3-1 Group loss at Al Thumama Stadium in Qatar on Friday.

Qatar (0-2-0) could be eliminated later in the day if the Netherlands and Ecuador draw in the other Group A match.

Senetal forward Boulaye Dia scored the first goal in the 41st minute on an error by Qatar defender Boualem Khoukhi. He tried to make a clearance under no pressure, didn’t connect with the ball properly and wound up on his rear end.

Three minutes into the second half, Famara Diedhiou doubled the lead, connecting on a header off a corner kick by Ismail Jakobs.

Substitute Mohammed Muntari scored Qatar’s goal in the 78th minute off Ismaeel Mohammad’s cross, but Senegal restored its two-goal margin on Bamba Dieng’s score six minutes later off a Iliman Ndiaye feed.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.