Senegal earned a vital 2-1 win against Iraq in their World Cup 2026 group stage encounter on Friday, with star forward Sadio Mané netting the decisive goal late in the second half. The victory moves Senegal to the top of Group D with four points, while Iraq remains winless after two matches.
First Half: Senegal Dominate but Iraq Strike First
Senegal controlled possession from the outset, creating several early chances. However, against the run of play, Iraq took the lead in the 23rd minute through a swift counter-attack. Winger Ali Adnan finished clinically after a through ball from midfielder Amjad Attwan, silencing the Senegal fans.
Senegal responded well and equalized just before halftime. In the 41st minute, defender Kalidou Koulibaly rose highest to head home a corner from Ismaïla Sarr, making the score 1-1 at the break. According to FIFA statistics, Senegal had 62% possession in the first half and registered eight shots to Iraq's three.
Second Half: Mané Magic Decides the Contest
The second half saw Senegal continue to press, with Mané and Sarr causing problems for the Iraqi defense. Iraq defended resolutely, but in the 78th minute, Mané produced a moment of brilliance. Picking up the ball on the left flank, he cut inside and unleashed a curling shot into the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Fahad Talib with no chance.
Iraq pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages, but Senegal's defense held firm. The win puts Senegal in a strong position to advance to the knockout stages, while Iraq faces an uphill battle to qualify.
Impact on Group D Standings
With this result, Senegal leads Group D with four points from two matches, following their opening draw against Colombia. Iraq, after losing their first match to Japan, now has zero points and a goal difference of -2. Senegal's next match is against Japan, while Iraq faces Colombia. Senegal coach Aliou Cissé praised his team's resilience: "We knew it would be a tough game. Iraq is a strong side, but we kept our composure and got the win. We are now in control of our destiny."
Iraq coach Željko Petrović lamented defensive lapses: "We had a good plan and executed it well for most of the game, but individual errors cost us. We need to learn from this and focus on our next match."
The match was played in front of 48,000 spectators at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, with a lively atmosphere from both sets of fans. Senegal's victory sets up a crucial clash with Japan, while Iraq must beat Colombia to keep their knockout hopes alive.
