Senegal thrash Iraq 5-0 to keep World Cup knockout hopes alive

Senegal kept their World Cup knockout hopes alive with a dominant 5-0 victory over a 10-man Iraq at Toronto Stadium on Friday. The Lions of Teranga finished third in Group I with three points and a goal difference of plus-two, currently the fifth-best record among third-placed teams, though four teams below them have yet to play their final group matches.

Habib Diarra opened the scoring in the fourth minute before Iraq were reduced to 10 men in the 13th minute. Defender Rebin Sulaka was initially shown a yellow card for pulling back Sadio Mane, but referee Anthony Taylor upgraded it to a red after reviewing the incident on the monitor for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.

Despite being a man up, Senegal could not add to their lead in the first half. However, the second half was a different story. Ismaila Sarr scored his third goal of the tournament in the 56th minute after a turnover forced by Lamine Camara set him up for a tap-in. Substitute Pape Gueye then took center stage, scoring two long-range stunners: first in the 59th minute with a curling left-footed shot, then in the 71st minute with a thunderous half-volley. Iliman Ndiaye completed the rout with another long-range effort in the 82nd minute.

Iraq, who lost all three group matches, were eliminated from their second World Cup appearance and first since 1986. Senegal now hope that results from other groups will allow them to advance as one of the best third-placed teams.