Senegal defeats Iraq 5-0, keeps hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup knockout stage

Senegal made a significant move toward qualifying for the World Cup knockout stages by comfortably winning 5‑0 against a 10‑man Iraq side in their final Group I match, reports 101 GreatGoals.

Similar to their opponents in Toronto, Senegal had lost to France and Norway in their first two games, so they required a large margin of victory to secure one of the eight best third‑placed spots and advance to the round of 32.

Habib Diarra gave Senegal an early advantage with a goal, and the match was further tilted in their favor when Iraq defender Rebin Sulaka was sent off.

Iraq held their composure for the rest of the first half, yet Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr added a third tournament goal and Pape Gueye delivered a long‑range strike that sealed the match and boosted Senegal’s chances.

Gueye increased his score to two with a powerful shot, and Illiman Ndiaye finished the affair with a brilliant solo effort.

With a goal difference of +2, Senegal is poised to advance to the knockout stage, becoming the first African team to net five goals in a single World Cup match.

In the other Group I encounter, France defeated Norway 4‑1, thanks to a hat‑trick from Ousmane Dembele.

France leads the group with nine points, while Norway sits in second place with six.