Senegal’s five-goal victory over Iraq keeps World Cup hopes alive
27.06.2026
Senegal’s Dominant Performance in Toronto
Senegal secured a significant 5-0 victory over 10-man Iraq in their final Group I match, a result that has revitalised their hopes of advancing to the World Cup last 32. The win, which saw Senegal become the first African nation to score five goals in a men’s World Cup match, was crucial for their goal difference and their standing among the best third-placed teams.
The match, played in Toronto, began with an early advantage for Senegal when Habib Diarra opened the scoring in the fourth minute. This initial goal set the tone for the game, which saw Iraq facing an uphill battle from early on.
Key Moments and Second-Half Surge
Iraq’s challenge intensified in the 13th minute when defender Rebin Sulaka received a red card. Referee Anthony Taylor initially showed a yellow card after Sadio Mané was fouled, but a VAR review led to the decision being upgraded to a red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity. This left Iraq to play with 10 men for more than 75 minutes of the match.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Iraq managed to hold off Senegal for the remainder of the first half. However, the second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum, with Senegal launching a relentless offensive.
The second-half onslaught began in the 56th minute when Ismaïla Sarr scored his third goal of the tournament, finishing from close range after a setup by Lamine Camara. This goal made Sarr Senegal’s all-time leading scorer at the World Cup and marked him as the first Senegal player to achieve both a goal and an assist in the same World Cup match.
Substitute Pape Gueye then made a significant impact, scoring two sensational long-range goals. His first came just before the hour mark, curling a left-footed strike past Jalal Hassan. He followed this with another powerful half-volley in the 71st minute, leaving the goalkeeper with little chance. Gueye’s brace made him the first Senegal player to score at least two goals as a substitute in a World Cup match.
The rout was completed in the 82nd minute by Iliman Ndiaye, who also scored with a long-range effort. Notably, Sarr, Gueye, and Ndiaye all finished the match with both a goal and an assist, a feat not seen by three players from the same team in a World Cup match since Germany’s victory over Brazil in 2014.
Implications for Qualification
The emphatic 5-0 victory significantly boosted Senegal’s goal difference, which is crucial for their qualification chances. They currently hold the fifth-best record among third-placed sides with a +2 goal difference. However, their fate remains uncertain as four teams below them have yet to play their final group matches. Senegal finished third in Group I, behind France and Norway.
This historic performance has kept Senegal’s World Cup knockout hopes alive, as they vie for one of the eight third-place spots in the last 32. The team must now await the results of the remaining group-stage fixtures to determine if their strong showing will be enough to secure their progression.
The win was a strong response to their previous back-to-back defeats in the tournament, demonstrating their determination to extend their campaign. The result also meant that Iraq was eliminated from the World Cup, their first elimination since 1986.
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Source: theguardian.com
Ishaan Kapoor
Sports correspondent covering cricket, football and international competitions.