Senegal Deliver Exactly What They Needed

Senegal gave themselves a fighting chance of reaching the World Cup 2026 last 32 with a commanding 5-0 victory over 10-man Iraq in Toronto.

The Lions of Teranga knew they not only needed to win, but to do so emphatically, after defeats to France and Norway had left them chasing one of the best third-placed spots. They responded with a near-perfect display, opening the scoring inside four minutes and never letting Iraq settle.

Pape Thiaw’s side ended the night third in Group I on three points and climbed to fifth in the third-placed standings, although they still had to wait for other results to confirm whether the margin of victory would be enough.

For Iraq, the defeat ended their campaign in miserable fashion. Their tournament had already become difficult, but an early red card left them with almost no chance of recovering against an increasingly confident Senegal side.

Diarra Strikes Early Before Iraq Are Reduced To 10

Senegal made the perfect start. After only four minutes, Abdoulaye Seck attacked a corner and his header took a decisive touch off Habib Diarra on the way past Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil.

It was the dream opening for a team desperate to build momentum and goal difference.

Nine minutes later, Iraq’s task became far harder. Defender Rebin Sulaka pulled down Sadio Mane near the edge of the area as the Senegal forward raced through on goal. After a video assistant referee review, referee Anthony Taylor upgraded the punishment and sent Sulaka off for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

Mane then tested Basil from the resulting free-kick, but despite their superiority in numbers, Senegal did not immediately run away with the contest. They controlled the game, yet they had to wait until the second half to turn pressure into a flood of goals.

Sarr And Gueye Turn Control Into A Rout

The second half brought the cutting edge Senegal needed.

In the 56th minute, Iraq gifted away possession on the edge of the box and Senegal punished them ruthlessly. Lamine Camara reacted sharply, cut the ball back into danger, and Ismaila Sarr applied the simple finish to make it 2-0.

Just three minutes later, substitute Pape Gueye made an instant impact. Introduced moments earlier, the midfielder stepped into space and curled a superb left-foot strike into the top corner to put Senegal firmly in control.

Gueye was not finished. In the 71st minute he struck again, this time producing another thunderous effort to effectively end any lingering doubt. The scoreline now reflected both Senegal’s urgency and Iraq’s growing fatigue.

Ndiaye Adds The Fifth As Senegal Chase Qualification

Senegal kept pressing because every goal mattered.

Their fifth arrived in the 82nd minute when Iliman Ndiaye, another substitute, joined the party. Pape Gueye turned provider and Ndiaye finished clinically to complete an emphatic 5-0 victory.

By full-time, Senegal had produced the ideal response to their earlier disappointments in Group I. They defended solidly, attacked with purpose and showed the ruthlessness that had been missing in their first two matches.

The only remaining question was whether the result would be enough to send them through among the best third-placed teams.

Key Events

• 4′ – Senegal 1-0 Iraq: Habib Diarra opens the scoring after Abdoulaye Seck’s corner threat causes problems.
• 13′ – Iraq red card: Rebin Sulaka is sent off for pulling down Sadio Mane and denying a goalscoring opportunity.
• 56′ – Senegal 2-0 Iraq: Ismaila Sarr finishes after a costly mistake and Lamine Camara’s assist.
• 59′ – Senegal 3-0 Iraq: Substitute Pape Gueye curls a brilliant strike into the top corner.
• 71′ – Senegal 4-0 Iraq: Gueye scores again with another powerful effort.
• 82′ – Senegal 5-0 Iraq: Iliman Ndiaye finishes after Pape Gueye’s assist.
• Full-time – Senegal 5-0 Iraq: Senegal boost their last-32 hopes, while Iraq are eliminated.

Senegal Analysis: Ruthless At The Right Time

This was exactly the performance Senegal needed. They started quickly, dealt well with the pressure of needing a big result, and made their numerical advantage count once Iraq tired.

Habib Diarra’s opener settled nerves, while Ismaila Sarr and the substitutes brought the killer edge. Pape Gueye’s two-goal cameo stood out, giving the scoreline real weight from Senegal’s point of view.

The broader positive for Pape Thiaw was the balance of the display. Senegal attacked with intent, but they also remained secure and composed at the back. They did not allow Iraq any route back into the match.

The win may yet prove decisive in the race for one of the best third-placed qualification places.

Iraq Analysis: Red Card Changes Everything

Iraq were already under pressure after losing their opening two group matches, and the early sending-off of Rebin Sulaka effectively ended any realistic chance they had of producing a response.

Before the dismissal they had looked vulnerable to Senegal’s pace and pressing. After it, their evening became an exercise in resistance. Ahmed Basil was left repeatedly exposed, while the outfield players spent long stretches chasing the game and the ball.

There were moments when Iraq might have hoped to keep the scoreline respectable, especially while Senegal were only 1-0 up, but the second goal opened the floodgates.

Their campaign ends without progression, and with the sense that discipline and defensive control let them down badly in this final match.

Final Score

Senegal 5-0 Iraq

Half-time: Senegal 1-0 Iraq

Venue: Toronto Stadium

Attendance: 43,036

What This Result Means

Senegal finish third in Group I with three points and move up to fifth in the table of third-placed teams, giving themselves a genuine chance of progressing to the last 32.

However, they still need later results elsewhere to go in their favour before qualification can be confirmed.

Iraq bow out of the tournament after another difficult night, with the early red card making the challenge far too great.

Man of the Match

Pape Gueye changed the feel of the result after coming off the bench, scoring twice and helping turn a controlled Senegal performance into an emphatic rout.

Hot Stat

Senegal scored four second-half goals after Iraq were reduced to 10 men, turning a narrow half-time lead into a decisive 5-0 win.