Image: from Saudi Gazette Sport X @SGazetteSport
By Open Chronicle with Agencies
TORONTO, June 26, 2026, Senegal produced a commanding 5,0 victory over Iraq in their final Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, keeping alive their hopes of reaching the Round of 32 as one of the tournament’s eight best third-placed teams.
The Lions of Teranga entered the match knowing that only a convincing victory would give them a realistic chance of progressing, and they delivered an emphatic performance against an Iraqi side reduced to ten men early in the contest.
Perfect start for Senegal
Senegal wasted little time asserting their dominance. After just four minutes, Lamine Camara delivered a dangerous corner that Seck flicked on at the near post before Diarra applied the finishing touch to open the scoring.
The match tilted even further in Senegal’s favour in the 13th minute. Iraq defender Sulaka lost possession to Sadio Mané while acting as the last defender and brought down the Senegal captain just outside the penalty area. Following a VAR review, referee Anthony Taylor upgraded the decision to a straight red card, leaving Iraq with ten players for more than 75 minutes.
Goals flow after the break
Despite creating numerous opportunities before halftime through Mané, Ismaïla Sarr, and Jakobs, Senegal went into the interval holding only a one-goal advantage.
The African side quickly put the contest beyond doubt after the restart.
In the 56th minute, Lamine Camara won possession high up the pitch before setting up Ismaïla Sarr, who calmly doubled Senegal’s lead.
Only three minutes later, substitute Pape Gueye produced one of the goals of the tournament, curling a superb left-footed strike into the top corner from outside the box to make it 3,0.
The Villarreal midfielder struck again in the 71st minute, firing home after reacting first to a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area.
Ndiaye completed the rout ten minutes from time with a spectacular long-range effort that flew past Jalal Hassan, sealing a comprehensive 5,0 victory.
Qualification hopes remain
The result lifts Senegal to third place in Group I with three points and significantly improves their goal difference, a crucial factor in determining the best third-placed teams that advance to the knockout stage.
However, Senegal must now wait for the completion of the remaining group matches to discover whether their impressive victory will be enough to secure a place in the Round of 32.
In the group’s other fixture, France defeated Norway 4,1 to secure first place, while Norway also progressed after finishing second.
Iraq exits the tournament without a point after losing all three group matches.
Match Moment
The sending off of Sulaka in the 13th minute completely changed the match. Already trailing 1,0, Iraq was forced to play with ten men for most of the contest, allowing Senegal to dominate possession and eventually turn a narrow lead into a convincing five-goal victory.
Player of the Match
Pape Gueye made an immediate impact after coming off the bench. The Villarreal midfielder scored two outstanding goals within little more than 15 minutes, providing the attacking spark Senegal needed to dramatically improve its goal difference and keep its World Cup hopes alive.