Senegal beat Iraq 5-0 to keep World Cup knockout hopes alive

Senegal beat Iraq 5-0 to keep World Cup knockout hopes alive

Senegal secured a dominant 5-0 victory over 10-man Iraq at Toronto Stadium on Friday, June 26, 2026, boosting their chances of advancing to the round of 32. The win allows the Lions of Teranga to finish third in Group I with three points and a goal difference of plus-two, trailing France and Norway.

Both teams entered the match needing a win and a significant goal swing to remain in contention for one of the final eight spots reserved for the best third-placed teams. While Senegal now holds the fifth-best record among third-place sides, four teams below them have yet to play their final group matches. Iraq, having lost all three group-stage matches, were eliminated from their first World Cup appearance since 1986.

Senegal struck early in the fourth minute. Lamine Camara delivered a corner into the box where Abdoulaye Seck provided a downward header that grazed the boot of Habib Diarra, sending the ball over Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil. This goal was described as the earliest in the competition history for Senegal.

The match shifted further in Senegal's favor in the 13th minute. Defender Rebin Sulaka fouled Sadio Mane on the edge of the box, denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Referee Anthony Taylor initially issued a yellow card but upgraded the decision to a red after consulting a replay monitor via VAR.

Despite the numerical advantage, Senegal struggled for the remainder of the first half. Efforts from Mane and Ismail Jakobs sailed wide while Iraq remained brave in attack. But the momentum shifted completely after the interval.

In the 56th minute, Lamine Camara forced a turnover in the Iraqi box and cut a low cross back for Ismaila Sarr to tap into an open goal. Sarr's effort was his third of the tournament and his fourth career World Cup goal, making him the all-time leading scorer for his country in the competition.

Pape Gueye entered the match immediately following Sarr's goal and provided a second-half blitz. In the 59th minute, Gueye received a pass from Sarr and unleashed a bending, left-footed strike into the top corner. He struck again in the 71st minute with a thunderous half-volley off a feed from Ndiaye. Iliman Ndiaye finished the scoring in the 82nd minute with a long-range effort of his own.

The victory provides a reprieve for manager Pape Thiaw, whose side had been plagued by defensive instability throughout the group stage. Prior to this clean sheet, Senegal had conceded three goals in three of their last four outings and suffered losses to France and Norway. The defensive unit, led by Kalidou Koulibaly, had struggled with transitions and set-piece pressure, and the team has been without goalkeeper Edouard Mendy due to a knee injury.

Iraq, coached by Graham Arnold, struggled to maintain consistency after conceding seven goals in previous matches against France and Norway. Their campaign was further hampered by the fitness of primary attacker Aymen Hussein, who had been a major doubt after an earlier injury.

Senegal's fate now rests on the results of other groups. They must wait until the group stage concludes on Saturday to determine if they are among the eight best third-placed teams moving into the knockout round.