Senegal roar back into contention with five-star rout of 10-man Iraq
Key Points(5)
- Senegal revived their World Cup knockout hopes with a commanding 5-0 victory over Iraq, taking full advantage of their numerical advantage after an early red card changed the course of the match.
- The victory lifted Senegal to three points in Group I and strengthened their chances of progressing as one of the eight best third-place teams.
- A second-half brace from Pape Gueye powered the final surge, while Habib Diarra, Ismaïla Sarr, and substitute Iliman Ndiaye also found the net.
- For Iraq, the defeat ended their tournament without a point in their first World Cup appearance since 1986.
- Early breakthrough gives Senegal control Senegal wasted no time establishing authority.
Senegal revived their World Cup knockout hopes with a commanding 5-0 victory over Iraq, taking full advantage of their numerical advantage after an early red card changed the course of the match.
The victory lifted Senegal to three points in Group I and strengthened their chances of progressing as one of the eight best third-place teams.
A second-half brace from Pape Gueye powered the final surge, while Habib Diarra, Ismaïla Sarr, and substitute Iliman Ndiaye also found the net.
For Iraq, the defeat ended their tournament without a point in their first World Cup appearance since 1986.
Early breakthrough gives Senegal control
Senegal wasted no time establishing authority.
Just four minutes into the contest, Diarra broke the deadlock with a composed finish, immediately putting Iraq under pressure.
The match shifted dramatically nine minutes later.
Iraq defender Rebin Sulaka was shown a red card after preventing Sadio Mané from breaking through on goal alone.
Reduced to 10 players, Iraq faced a difficult challenge against a Senegal side desperate for points.
Yet despite the advantage, Senegal had to wait before turning their dominance into more goals.
Iraq resist before Senegal finally break through
The red card created opportunities, but Iraq defended with determination.
Senegal controlled possession and pushed forward repeatedly, but the second goal did not arrive until the 56th minute.
Sarr finally ended the resistance, extending Senegal’s advantage and opening the floodgates.
From there, the game became a showcase of Senegal’s attacking depth.
Gueye takes over in the second half
Gueye became the central figure in Senegal’s finishing surge.
The midfielder struck twice in the second half, transforming a narrow lead into a comfortable victory and giving Senegal the goal difference boost they needed.
With qualification potentially decided by tiebreakers, every goal carried added importance.
Ndiaye completed the scoring after coming off the bench, sealing a five-goal performance that could prove vital when the final standings are calculated.
Knockout qualification still within reach
The win moved Senegal to three points with a plus-two goal difference, keeping them firmly in the race for the round of 32.
The tournament format allows the eight best third-place teams to advance, with goal difference and goals scored among the key tiebreakers if teams finish level.
Senegal’s emphatic victory therefore carried significance beyond the three points.
It gave them breathing room, and a renewed belief.
Iraq’s return ends in disappointment
For Iraq, the tournament ended without a victory after their long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage.
Their first World Cup appearance since 1986 showed moments of resilience, but the red card proved too costly against a Senegal team fighting for survival.
Senegal now wait anxiously for the final Group I outcomes, knowing their five-goal statement may have kept their World Cup journey alive.
