Senegal Faces Iraq Tonight in Crucial Final Group Match

After consecutive losses to France and Norway, Senegal face a must‑win encounter against Iraq in Group I.

The Lions of Teranga still have a chance to advance, but only a victory will keep their hopes alive, and qualification will also depend on results elsewhere and the final ranking of third‑placed teams.

Having reached the knockout stages in Qatar four years ago, Senegal are determined to keep Africa’s challenge alive.

Although Africa’s second‑highest‑ranked side had to contend with one of the pre‑tournament favourites in France and a Norway team boasting arguably the competition’s best centre‑forward, the Lions of Teranga were still expected to come away with something from those matches.

However, the Lions have performed poorly, with Pape Thiaw’s side effectively finding themselves on the brink of elimination due to self‑inflicted wounds.

After failing to capitalise on their strong first‑half showing against Les Bleus before an inspired Kylian Mbappé turned the game in the 2018 champions’ favour, the African side then paid the price for a glut of defensive mistakes against Norway.

Kalidou Koulibaly bore much of the brunt for Senegal’s 3‑2 defeat against Erling Haaland and company, with the experienced defender eventually being taken off in the 72nd minute.

Fresh from that error‑filled Koulibaly display, Senegal now head into their final group game ranked bottom of all 12 third‑placed teams, while the Czech Republic occupy eighth in that mini table after picking up a point.

The task is simple: secure a convincing victory over Iraq to improve their chances of advancing to the first knockout round.