Senegal's historic five-goal blitz breathes life into World Cup campaign

Senegal vs Iraq, FIFA World Cup 2026: Senegal thrashed 10-man Iraq 5-0 to keep their FIFA World Cup knockout hopes alive, becoming the first African nation to score five goals in a men's World Cup match.

In Short

• Senegal crush Iraq 5-0 to boost Round of 32 hopes.
• First African team to score five goals in a men's World Cup.
• Pape Gueye's brace inspired Senegal's historic victory.

Senegal produced the perfect response to back-to-back defeats at the FIFA World Cup, thrashing 10-man Iraq 5-0 in their final Group I clash on Friday to keep their hopes of reaching the Round of 32 alive as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.

Knowing only a convincing victory would give them a realistic chance of extending their campaign, the Lions of Teranga delivered their biggest-ever World Cup win in emphatic fashion. Habib Diarra opened the scoring before Ismaila Sarr, substitute Pape Gueye, who struck twice, and Iliman Ndiaye completed the rout in Toronto.

The victory lifted Senegal to third place in Group I behind France and Norway, but Aliou Cisse's side must now wait for the remaining group-stage fixtures to discover whether their goal difference is enough to secure one of the eight best third-placed spots.

Senegal vs Iraq, FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights

IRAQ RED CARD

Senegal made the ideal start, taking the lead inside four minutes.

Lamine Camara whipped in a dangerous corner that Abdoulaye Seck headed towards goal. The ball glanced off Habib Diarra before looping over Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil to hand Senegal an early breakthrough.

Iraq's task became even harder minutes later when defender Rebin Sulaka was shown a straight red card. The centre-back hauled down Sadio Mane on the edge of the area as the Senegal captain raced through on goal. Following a VAR review, referee Anthony Taylor dismissed Sulaka, leaving Iraq to play more than 75 minutes with 10 men.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Iraq defended bravely for the remainder of the first half, frustrating Senegal despite the African side enjoying the lion's share of possession.

SECOND-HALF BLITZ

Whatever was said in the Senegal dressing room had the desired effect.

The second half belonged entirely to the Lions of Teranga, who overwhelmed Iraq with wave after wave of attacks.

Ismaila Sarr doubled the advantage in the 56th minute, finishing from close range to register his fourth World Cup goal and become Senegal's all-time leading scorer at the tournament. The winger also became the first Senegal player to score and assist in the same World Cup match.

Substitute Pape Gueye then stole the spotlight.

Introduced after starting Senegal's opening two group matches on the bench, Gueye announced himself with two sensational long-range strikes within minutes to put the contest beyond doubt. His brace made him the first Senegal player to score at least two goals as a substitute at a World Cup and strengthened his case for a starting role in the knockout rounds should Senegal progress.

There was still time for Iliman Ndiaye to cap the performance with another stunning strike from distance, ensuring five different moments of celebration for the sea of green-clad Senegal supporters inside Toronto Stadium.

Remarkably, Sarr, Gueye and Ndiaye all finished the match with both a goal and an assist, the first time three players from the same team have achieved the feat in a World Cup match since Germany's famous 7-1 victory over Brazil in the 2014 semi-final.

HISTORY MADE

The five-goal haul saw Senegal become the first African nation to score five goals in a men's FIFA World Cup match, underlining the scale of their achievement.

The emphatic victory also boosted their goal difference significantly as they climbed into the provisional qualification spots among the best third-placed teams. Whether that proves enough to earn a place in the Round of 32 will only become clear once the remaining group-stage fixtures conclude on Saturday.

After entering the day with their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread, Senegal could scarcely have done more. They produced a statement performance, rewrote the record books and kept their dream of reaching the knockout rounds alive.

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