Senegal’s decisive win in Toronto
Senegal delivered a commanding performance against Iraq, securing a 5-0 victory that significantly enhances their chances of progressing to the knockout stages of the World Cup. The match, held in Toronto, saw Pape Thiaw’s side achieve the largest win by an African nation in a World Cup, keeping their hopes alive after both teams had previously lost to France and Norway in their initial Group I matches.
The Lions of Teranga started strongly, taking the lead within four minutes. Habib Diarra, from Sunderland, got the final touch on Abdoulaye Seck’s header, directing it into the net. This early goal set the tone for Senegal’s offensive play throughout the game.
Iraq’s challenge became even tougher shortly after the opening goal. In the 12th minute, defender Rebin Sulaka was initially shown a yellow card for pulling down Sadio Mane outside the box. However, after a VAR review, the referee upgraded the card to a red, ruling that Sulaka had denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity. This incident made Iraq only the second team in World Cup history to concede a goal and receive a red card within the first 15 minutes of a match.
Despite being a man down, Iraq managed to hold off Senegal’s attacks for the remainder of the first half, with goalkeeper Basil making a notable save from a Mane free-kick. However, Senegal’s persistence paid off in the second half.
Second-half surge seals victory
The second half saw Senegal break through Iraq’s defence decisively. Ten minutes after the restart, Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr tapped in a pull-back from Lamine Camara, extending Senegal’s lead. Just 89 seconds later, substitute Pape Gueye curled in a goal, further solidifying their advantage.
Gueye continued his impactful performance, scoring his second goal with a powerful strike. Sadio Mane also came close to scoring, hitting the bar with a looping effort. The final goal of the match came from Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye, who added another impressive strike, leaving Iraq’s substitute goalkeeper Jalal Hassan with no chance.
The goals came in quick succession, with Ismaila Sarr scoring in the 56th minute, followed by Pape Gueye’s first goal in the 59th minute. Gueye then scored his second in the 71st minute, and Iliman Ndiaye completed the scoring in the 82nd minute.
This emphatic 5-0 victory was crucial for Senegal, as they needed a significant win to remain in contention for the knockout stages. The result positions them favourably among the top eight third-placed teams in the tournament.
Implications for the knockout stages
The win puts Senegal in a strong position to advance to the round of 32. As things currently stand, with a limited number of group games remaining, Senegal is projected to face England in the next round. The team’s performance in Toronto demonstrated their attacking capabilities, which will be vital in the subsequent stages of the competition.
While nothing is definitively confirmed, the substantial victory makes it challenging for other teams to displace Pape Thiaw’s side from a top-eight third-place finish. Entering the knockout stages with such a dominant win could provide significant momentum for Senegal. However, finishing third in their group means they would likely face a group winner, necessitating a continued strong attacking intent.
The match saw Senegal overcome early struggles to fully capitalize on their numerical advantage in the second half. The team’s ability to break down Iraq’s resolve after the break proved decisive, with the game effectively sealed by the hour mark.
The outcome of the match on Friday, June 26, 2026, ensures Senegal remains in the hunt for a place in the next phase of the World Cup.
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Source: skysports.com
Arjun Sharma
Sports Reporter