Senegal overwhelmed a depleted Iraq side 5-0 in their final Group I match in Toronto, a result that keeps their hopes of advancing at the 2026 World Cup alive — even if the decision is no longer entirely in their hands.
An early red card
Senegal were ahead inside four minutes through Habib Diarra, and their task grew easier in the 13th minute when Iraq defender Rebin Sulaka was sent off for hauling down an attacker as he ran clear; the referee, Anthony Taylor, upgraded an initial yellow to a red after a pitchside review, Al Jazeera reported. Down to ten men and a goal behind, Iraq faced a long evening.
Goals after the break
Senegal pressed home the advantage in the second half. Ismaila Sarr made it two just before the hour, Pape Gueye struck twice in the space of a dozen minutes, and Iliman Ndiaye completed the scoring late on — five different scoring moments, with Gueye claiming a brace, for a comfortable 5-0.
What it means
In the expanded 48-team format, the four best third-placed teams also reach the round of 32, which keeps Senegal in contention: they finished third in Group I, and the win lifted their goal difference at a useful moment. But several other third-placed sides still have games to play, so Senegal must now wait on other results to learn whether they go through. For Iraq, the defeat ended a campaign without a point in only their second World Cup and first since 1986.
The bigger picture
Senegal have been one of Africa's most reliable World Cup sides this century, from their quarter-final run in 2002 to the last 16 in 2022, and arrived in North America among the continent's stronger hopes. Whether a five-goal flourish is enough to extend their stay will become clear only once the rest of the group stage is complete.
