Senegal kept their World Cup last-32 hopes alive with a resounding 5-0 victory over a 10-man Iraq side in their final Group I match on Friday. Substitute Pape Gueye scored two sensational long-range goals in the second half, while Ismaila Sarr added his third goal of the tournament as the Lions of Teranga finished third in the group.
Senegal's goal difference boost
The win gave Senegal a much-needed boost to their goal difference, moving them to plus-2, which currently ranks as the fifth-best among third-placed teams vying for one of the eight spots in the last 32. However, four teams below them have yet to play their final group matches, meaning Senegal's fate is not yet sealed.
First-half drama
Habib Diarra opened the scoring in the fourth minute while both sides were at full strength. Iraq's task became significantly harder in the 13th minute when defender Rebin Sulaka was sent off by referee Anthony Taylor for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Taylor initially showed a yellow card after Sadio Mané was hauled back by Sulaka, but after consulting a replay monitor, upgraded the decision to a red card.
Despite the numerical advantage, Senegal could not add to their lead before half-time, with Iraq defending resolutely.
Second-half onslaught
The floodgates opened after the interval. Lamine Camara set up Sarr's 56th-minute goal, forcing a turnover in Iraq's box, dribbling to the byline, and cutting a low cross back for the Crystal Palace forward to tap into an open goal.
Pape Gueye, introduced immediately after Sarr's goal, made an instant impact. In the 59th minute, he took Sarr's pass near the right corner of the box, dribbled to his left, and unleashed a bending left-footed strike that curled beyond diving goalkeeper Ahmed Basil into the top corner.
In the 71st minute, Gueye ran onto Iliman Ndiaye's bouncing feed and struck a thunderous half-volley that gave Basil no chance as it bulged the back of the net.
Ndiaye wrapped up the scoring in the 82nd minute with his own long-range effort, sealing a comprehensive victory.
Iraq eliminated
The result meant Iraq were eliminated from their second World Cup and first since 1986. They would have been underdogs even at full strength, but the early red card made their task all but impossible.
Senegal now await the conclusion of the remaining group matches to see if their third-place finish is enough to advance to the knockout stage.
