Senegal thrash 10-man Iraq 5-0 to keep FIFA World Cup knockout hopes alive
Synopsis
Senegal needed a win and delivered a five-goal second-half blitz against 10-man Iraq to stay in World Cup contention — but they now face an anxious wait on Saturday's results to know if three points as Group I's third-placed side is enough to reach the last 16. Pape Gueye's back-to-back long-range rockets and Ismaila Sarr's record-breaking goal were the highlights of a commanding, if slow-starting, performance.
Key Takeaways
Senegal defeated Iraq 5-0 in their final Group I match on Friday in Toronto .
Iraq defender Rebin Sulaka was sent off in the 13th minute after a VAR review of a challenge on Sadio Mane .
Ismaila Sarr became Senegal's all-time leading scorer at the FIFA World Cup with his fourth career tournament goal.
Substitute Pape Gueye scored twice with long-range drives clocked at 84 kph and 103 kph ; Iliman Ndiaye added the fifth.
Senegal finished third in Group I with three points and must wait on Saturday's Group J and K results to confirm knockout qualification.
Iraq exited without a point — only their second World Cup appearance in 40 years .
Senegal kept their FIFA World Cup knockout stage hopes firmly alive with a ruthless 5-0 demolition of a 10-man Iraq in their final Group I fixture on Friday in Toronto, while the Asian side exited the tournament without a single point across all three matches.
Key Developments
Habib Diarra opened the scoring with a deflected strike, but Senegal's task was made significantly easier when Iraq defender Rebin Sulaka was dismissed in the 13th minute following a VAR review of a challenge on Sadio Mane. Despite the numerical advantage, Senegal struggled to impose themselves on a resolute Iraq defence and the floodgates did not open until the second half.
Sarr Makes History, Gueye Steals the Show
Ismaila Sarr netted his fourth career World Cup goal to extend the lead — a strike that also made him Senegal's all-time leading scorer in the competition. Substitute Pape Gueye, introduced minutes before his brace, produced two extraordinary long-range efforts: the first clocked at 84 kph and the second at a ferocious 103 kph. Iliman Ndiaye completed the rout with a thunderous finish to seal the 5-0 scoreline.
Coach Thiaw Demands More
Senegal head coach Malick Thiaw acknowledged room for improvement after an uninspiring opening period. He will be expecting a sharper performance when Senegal face either Egypt or another strong third-placed contender in the round of 32, should they advance. The slow start against a side reduced to ten men so early will concern him ahead of tougher opposition.
The Qualification Picture
Senegal finished third in Group I behind France and Norway with three points and must now wait on the results of Saturday's Group J and K fixtures to learn whether their record is good enough to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams. Under the expanded World Cup format, the best third-placed sides from the eight qualifying groups advance alongside the top two from each of the 12 sections to a last-16 stage. Iraq, meanwhile, ended a miserable campaign having lost all three matches — a painful exit in only their second World Cup appearance in 40 years.
Point of View
For long stretches, frustratingly laboured against a side reduced to ten men inside 13 minutes. That it took until the second half to truly cut loose raises questions about Senegal's creative sharpness against organised defences — a problem that will be ruthlessly exposed by France, Norway, or any top-tier last-16 opponent. The real story here is structural: the expanded 48-team format, with its best-third-placed safety net, has kept alive a side that would have been eliminated under the old setup. Whether that is a feature or a flaw of the new World Cup is a debate that will only intensify as results filter through on Saturday.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the Senegal vs Iraq FIFA World Cup match?
Senegal defeated Iraq 5-0 in their final Group I match on Friday in Toronto. Iraq played the majority of the game with ten men after defender Rebin Sulaka was sent off in the 13th minute.
Who scored for Senegal against Iraq?
Habib Diarra opened the scoring with a deflected strike. Ismaila Sarr added the second, substitute Pape Gueye scored twice with long-range drives, and Iliman Ndiaye completed the rout with a fifth goal.
Has Senegal qualified for the FIFA World Cup round of 32?
Not yet confirmed. Senegal finished third in Group I with three points and must wait for Saturday's Group J and K results to see if their record qualifies them as one of the best third-placed teams across the eight qualifying groups.
What record did Ismaila Sarr set against Iraq?
Ismaila Sarr's goal against Iraq was his fourth career FIFA World Cup goal, making him Senegal's all-time leading scorer in the tournament's history.
How did Iraq fare at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Iraq lost all three of their Group I matches and exited without a single point. It was only their second World Cup appearance in 40 years, making the campaign a deeply disappointing one for the Asian side.
