Senegal secured a vital 5-0 victory over a 10-man Iraq in their last Group I match, boosting their chances of advancing in the FIFA World Cup. The win was crucial for Senegal to stay in contention for the round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams. Habib Diarra’s deflected strike gave Senegal the lead, and Iraq’s hopes suffered a setback when Rebin Sulaka was sent off in the 13th minute after a VAR review.
Ismaila Sarr’s goal, his fourth in World Cup history, further extended Senegal’s lead, making him the country’s all-time leading scorer in the tournament. Substitute Pape Gueye then showcased brilliance with two stunning goals shortly after coming on. Senegal’s coach Malick Thiaw acknowledged the need for improvement despite the victory, emphasizing the importance of a stronger performance in the upcoming matches.
Senegal finished third in Group I with three points, trailing behind France and Norway. The team now awaits the results of the remaining Group J and K matches to determine their qualification for the round of 32 as one of the top third-placed teams. On the other hand, Iraq’s disappointing World Cup campaign concluded with three consecutive defeats, marking a challenging return to the tournament after 40 years.
