Senegal secured a crucial 5-0 win against Iraq in their final Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held at Toronto Stadium on Friday. This decisive victory has significantly enhanced Senegal's prospects of qualifying for the knockout rounds as one of the eight best third-place teams.
The match, played under clear skies with a sellout crowd of over 43,000, saw Senegal take an early lead in the fourth minute through Habib Diarra. The game shifted dramatically in the 13th minute when Iraq's defender Rebin Sulaka received a red card for a foul on Sadio Mané, leaving Iraq to play with ten men for the majority of the match. Despite the numerical advantage, Senegal struggled to extend their lead until the second half.
The second-half onslaught began in the 56th minute with a goal from Ismaïla Sarr, followed swiftly by Pape Gueye's brace in the 71st and subsequent minutes. Iliman Ndiaye capped off the scoring in the 82nd minute with a long-range effort, sealing the emphatic 5-0 victory. This win improved Senegal's goal difference, a critical factor in determining third-place advancements.
With this result, Senegal now holds three points and a plus-two goal differential, placing them in a strong position among third-place teams across the tournament. They now await the outcomes of other group matches to determine their fate. Iraq, meanwhile, was eliminated from the World Cup without securing any points in their group stage appearances.
