Senegal secure 5-0 victory over Iraq, boosting World Cup knockout stage hopes
Senegal’s decisive win in Toronto
Senegal significantly enhanced their prospects of advancing to the knockout phase of the World Cup following a commanding 5-0 win against a 10-man Iraq side in Toronto. This victory was crucial for the Lions of Teranga, who were looking to recover from previous defeats in the tournament.
The match saw Senegal start strongly, opening the scoring just four minutes into the game. The initial goal came from Abdoulaye Seck’s header, which took a deflection off Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra before finding the net past Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil.
Iraq’s challenges escalated shortly after, when defender Rebin Sulaka received a red card in the 13th minute. The sending-off, following a video assistant referee review, was for pulling down Sadio Mane at the edge of the penalty area, deemed a denial of a goalscoring opportunity. This marked the sixth red card shown at the 2026 World Cup. Despite the numerical advantage, Senegal did not register another shot on target in the first half after Mane’s free-kick attempt.
The second half saw Senegal capitalise on their advantage. In the 56th minute, Ismaila Sarr scored, making it 2-0 after Lamine Camara cut the ball back following a turnover by former Manchester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal. Just three minutes later, substitute Pape Gueye, who had just entered the game, curled a left-foot strike into the top corner, extending Senegal’s lead.
Gueye, a defensive midfielder for Villarreal, then scored his second goal in the 71st minute with another powerful effort. The scoring was completed by fellow substitute Iliman Ndiaye, who netted Senegal’s fifth goal. Ndiaye’s goal was described as a powerful shot that went just inside the post, securing the 5-0 victory.
Impact on knockout stage qualification
This comprehensive win was vital for Senegal’s qualification hopes. The team finished Group I with three points and a goal difference of +2. This result propelled them to fifth place among the third-placed teams, with eight teams set to advance to the next round. The outcome of this match also meant that Scotland dropped to ninth place in the table of third-placed sides, diminishing their chances of progression.
Despite the significant win, Senegal’s place in the last 32 is not yet guaranteed. Their advancement depends on the results of other matches in various groups, specifically Group H, Group G, Group L, Group K, and Group J, which are scheduled to conclude over the coming days. Senegal is already assured of finishing ahead of Scotland from Group C and South Korea from Group A.
For Senegal to secure their spot, specific outcomes are needed. A victory for Spain against Uruguay in Group H would bring them closer. Additionally, a win for Egypt against Iran, combined with anything less than a win for New Zealand against Belgium, would confirm Senegal’s progression to the next stage of the tournament.
The team’s performance in Toronto showcased a strong rebound after earlier challenges in the tournament. Senegal had previously faced defeats against France, losing 3-1 despite a strong start, and against Norway, where they were beaten 3-2. The match against Iraq completed a challenging tournament for the Iraqi side, who had also suffered heavy losses to France and Norway.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
Reuben Castle is the Sports News Writer at News GB, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from print into digital sport news. He holds a degree in Journalism from Coventry University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Coventry, he follows the Open Championship and amateur boxing. “Accuracy first; the analysis can follow.”
