Senegal kept its FIFA World Cup hopes alive in emphatic fashion on Friday, overpowering Iraq 5-0 in their final Group I match to strengthen their bid for one of the tournament’s coveted third-place qualification spots.
Needing both a victory and a convincing scoreline, the Lions of Teranga delivered their most complete performance of the tournament, taking full advantage after Iraq was reduced to 10 men early in the first half. Midfielder Pape Gueye led the way with two second-half goals as Senegal boosted its goal differential to plus-two, a crucial factor in determining which third-place teams advance to the Round of 32.
Senegal wasted little time taking control. Habib Diarra opened the scoring just four minutes into the match, giving the African side the perfect start and immediately putting pressure on Iraq.
The contest took a dramatic turn in the 13th minute when Iraq defender Rebin Sulaka was shown a straight red card for hauling down Sadio Mané as the veteran forward broke free toward goal. The dismissal forced Iraq to play more than 75 minutes with a man down, making an already difficult task nearly impossible.
Despite their numerical advantage, Senegal had to remain patient. Iraq defended courageously throughout the remainder of the first half, limiting clear opportunities and keeping the deficit at just one goal heading into halftime.
The breakthrough finally came again in the 56th minute when Ismaila Sarr doubled Senegal’s advantage, opening the floodgates.
From there, Gueye took center stage. The midfielder found the net twice during a dominant stretch in the second half, showcasing Senegal’s attacking depth and ensuring the result would be far more than just a routine victory. Substitute Iliman Ndiaye completed the scoring late in the match, capping a five-goal performance that could prove decisive in the race for the knockout rounds.
The convincing victory lifts Senegal to three points in Group I with a valuable plus-two goal differential. With the expanded 48-team World Cup format allowing the eight best third-place teams to advance to the Round of 32, every goal could make the difference. Ties among third-place finishers are determined first by goal difference and then by goals scored, making Senegal’s late offensive surge especially significant.
While Senegal now awaits results from the remaining groups to determine its fate, the Lions of Teranga gave themselves every possible chance with a dominant performance when it mattered most.
For Iraq, the loss marked the end of a difficult return to the World Cup. Competing in the tournament for the first time since 1986, Iraq exited without earning a point from its three group-stage matches. Sulaka’s early red card proved to be a devastating setback, and the team struggled to contain Senegal’s relentless attack after halftime.
Now, Senegal can only wait and hope its five-goal triumph is enough to secure one of the final places in the knockout stage, while Iraq heads home after a challenging but memorable return to football’s biggest stage after a 40-year absence.
