Senegal Seal Big 5-0 Victory Over Iraq in World Cup

Senegal beat Iraq 5-0 in their last Group I match at the FIFA World Cup 2026. As a result, the African team kept their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.

Meanwhile, Iraq ended their World Cup run with a heavy defeat.

Watch highlights of the match at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N2BzwoMrCw

Senegal vs Iraq Result

Score: Senegal 5-0 Iraq
Goals: Diarra (4′), Sarr (56′), Gueye (59′, 71′), Ndiaye (82′)
Red card: Sulaka (Iraq, 13′)

Senegal needed a win to stay in the race. Iraq also needed a good result. However, Senegal looked stronger from the start.

They moved the ball well. They attacked with speed. Moreover, they created many chances.

Diarra Gives Senegal an Early Lead

Senegal scored after only four minutes. Seck rose high and headed the ball toward goal. Then, the ball touched Diarra and went into the net.

As a result, Senegal took a quick 1-0 lead.

Senegal demonstrated superior strength against Iraq (Photo: FIFA)

Iraq tried to respond. However, their task became much harder in the 13th minute.

Sadio Mane ran clear on goal. Sulaka pulled him back. Therefore, the referee showed a straight red card.

After that, Iraq had to play with 10 men. They also had to defend for most of the match.

Iraq suffered a major setback when they lost a player as early as the 13th minute. (Source: Getty Images)

Senegal Dominate After the Break

Senegal controlled the first half. However, they only led 1-0 at the break. In the second half, they raised the tempo. Soon, the goals started to come.

In the 56th minute, Sarr made it 2-0 with a close-range finish.

The joy of the Senegalese players (Photo: FIFA)

Then, Gueye scored just three minutes later to make it 3-0.

Moreover, Gueye scored again in the 71st minute. His second goal gave Senegal a 4-0 lead.

By then, Iraq had no real answer. Their defense was tired. Their attack also failed to create much danger.

Pape Gueye scored a brace to help Senegal defeat Iraq 5-0. (Source: Getty Images)

Ndiaye Scores a Stunning Fifth Goal

Senegal added one more goal in the 82nd minute. Ndiaye moved forward on the right side. Then, he fired a powerful shot from long range.

The ball flew into the net. As a result, Senegal completed a huge 5-0 win.

Senegal achieved the biggest victory in African history at the World Cup. (Source: Getty Images)

Iraq Leave the World Cup

For Iraq, this was a painful end. They returned to the World Cup after a long wait. However, they could not get a point in the group stage.

Still, the tournament can be a lesson for the team. In addition, Iraq can use this experience to rebuild for the future.

Iraq bids farewell to the 2026 World Cup after three heavy defeats (Photo: FIFA).

Senegal Wait for Their Fate

Senegal ended the group stage with three points. Therefore, they still had a chance to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.

Although their future was not fully clear, Senegal showed their quality. They played with power, speed, and belief.

If they reach the knockout round, they could still be a dangerous team.

Starting Lineups

Senegal: Mory Diaw; Abdoulaye Seck, Ismail Jakobs, Krepin Diatta, Moussa Niakhate; Idrissa Gana Gueye, Lamine Camara, Habib Diarra; Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr, Ibrahim Mbaye.

Iraq: Ahmed Basil; Rebin Sulaka, Akam Hashim, Mechas Doski, Frans Putros; Ibrahim Bayesh, Zidane Iqbal, Amir Alammari; Ali Jasim, Ahmed Qasem, Ali Alhamadi.

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