Senegal crushes Iraq (5-0) and remains hopeful for the 2026 World Cup

Senegal took a serious advantage in its quest for qualification for the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, thanks to a resounding 5-0 success against Iraq on Friday in Toronto. This crucial result places the Lions of Teranga in third place in Group I, while waiting for the final matches to know if the team will be among the eight best third-placed teams to advance to the next round. Here are four main lessons from this meeting:

1. An ideal start for Senegal Before this duel, Senegalese and Iraqis were without points, victims of defeats against France and Norway. In this expanded format, eight third-placed teams out of twelve advance to the round of 32, but a clear victory, with a good goal average, was essential to maximize their chances. From the 4th minute, Habib Diarra opened the scoring with a header from a corner, ideally launching the Lions of Teranga.

2. A slow initial period after the red card The meeting lost intensity after the expulsion of an Iraqi player. Despite their numerical superiority, the Senegalese were no longer able to appear dangerous, with Mané notably contained by goalkeeper Ahmed Basil Fadhil, who later left the field injured. At half-time, the public was surprised by this drop in pace and a less lively game.

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1. Pape Thiaw’s changes, a turning point In the 56th minute, with a new goal offered by Iraq, Senegalese coach Pape Thiaw launched a wave of substitutions: Pape Gueye, Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson and Pathé Ciss entered, reinforcing the energy and offensive aggressiveness. Gueye will score two magnificent goals (assists from Sarr and Ndiaye), followed by a goal from Iliman Ndiaye, concluded by a fifth goal assisted by Gueye, who plays for Villarreal. These changes changed the match.

2. Recurring errors that cost Iraq dearly With three defeats in as many matches, Iraq leaves the competition. Despite a very difficult group, his main opponent ended up being himself. Technical errors, notably losing the ball in the middle, offered the opponents easy opportunities. Against Senegal, an expulsion then a lack of concentration from Zidane Iqbal, who scored the second goal, sealed the team's fate. The Senegalese trio Sarr-Camara-Diarra perfectly exploited these errors to conclude largely in favor of the Lions.

This resounding victory gives Senegal all the cards to hope to advance through the first round, depending on the results of the other groups. The Lions of Teranga have shown that they are ready to fight until the end in this 2026 World Cup.