Senegal keep World Cup dream alive with five-star rout of Iraq

Senegal delivered one of the most emphatic performances of the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage, crushing Iraq 5-0 in Toronto to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds alive.

The Lions of Teranga produced a breathtaking second-half display, scoring four goals after the break to finish their Group I campaign on a high and boost their chances of progressing as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.

Knowing that only a convincing victory would give them a realistic chance of advancing, Senegal approached the match with urgency from the opening whistle.

Their positive intent paid off almost immediately when Habib Diarra gave them the lead after just four minutes.

Abdoulaye Seck rose highest to meet a corner, and his powerful header deflected off Diarra before looping into the net, making it the earliest World Cup goal in Senegal's history.

The African side received another major boost moments later when Iraq defender Rebin Sulaka was sent off following a VAR review.

Initially shown a yellow card for bringing down Sadio Mané as he raced towards goal, referee Anthony Taylor upgraded the punishment to a red card after determining that Sulaka had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Despite playing with a numerical advantage for most of the contest, Senegal found it difficult to break down Iraq’s disciplined resistance before half-time.

Although they dominated possession and territory, the Lions carried only a slender 1-0 lead into the interval, leaving their qualification hopes hanging in the balance.

Everything changed after the restart.

Senegal came out with renewed intensity and finally found the cutting edge they had been searching for.

In the 56th minute, Lamine Camara intercepted possession deep inside Iraq’s half before setting up Ismaïla Sarr, who calmly finished from close range to double the lead.

Just three minutes later, substitute Pape Gueye announced his arrival in spectacular fashion.

Less than 90 seconds after entering the match, the midfielder unleashed a magnificent long-range strike into the top corner to make it 3-0.

Gueye was far from finished. In the 71st minute, Iliman Ndiaye nodded the ball into his path, and the midfielder smashed another unstoppable effort beyond goalkeeper Jalal Hassan to grab his second goal of the evening.

The scoring was completed eight minutes from time when Ndiaye capped an outstanding substitute appearance with a brilliant strike from outside the penalty area, sealing a memorable five-star victory that delighted the Senegalese supporters inside Toronto Stadium.

The statistics reflected Senegal's complete dominance.

They generated an expected goals (xG) value of 3.03 while restricting Iraq to just 0.18.

The Lions registered 22 shots, eight of them on target, and controlled virtually every aspect of the match, particularly after Iraq were reduced to ten men.

The victory was also historic. It marked the first time an African nation had scored five goals in a FIFA World Cup match, underlining the attacking quality Senegal displayed when the pressure was greatest.

Pape Gueye deservedly emerged as the standout performer after scoring twice and providing an assist in a remarkable impact off the bench.

Lamine Camara also impressed with his tireless midfield display, while Sarr contributed a goal and an assist as Senegal’s experienced attack finally clicked into top gear.

Although Senegal’s fate depended on results elsewhere, the Lions of Teranga could leave the field with pride after doing everything within their control.

Their victory revived hopes of extending their World Cup journey and demonstrated the resilience and quality that have made them one of Africa’s strongest footballing nations in recent years.

Senegal, meanwhile, could only wait and hope that their historic five-goal triumph would prove enough to book a place in the knockout rounds.

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