Senegal crush Iraq to finish third in Group I and remain firmly in contention for a place among the best third-placed teams. Pape Gueye scores twice after coming on, while Iraq end their World Cup campaign with three defeats from three.
Senegal did everything they could. Now they must wait.
The Lions of Teranga demolished Iraq 5-0 in Boston to conclude their Group I campaign with four points and a positive goal difference, keeping alive their hopes of reaching the Round of 32 as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
The match was effectively decided inside the opening quarter-hour. Habib Diarra gave Senegal the lead after only four minutes, turning in a header from Seck following a corner delivered by Lamine Camara.
Iraq’s task became almost impossible in the 13th minute when Rebin Sulaka was shown a straight red card after a VAR review for pulling down Sadio Mané while the Senegal captain was through on goal.
Despite their numerical advantage, Senegal had to wait until the second half to put the game beyond doubt.
Ismaila Sarr doubled the lead in the 56th minute after excellent work from Camara, who recovered possession inside the box and squared for the Marseille winger to tap into an empty net.
Just three minutes later, substitute Pape Gueye announced himself in spectacular fashion. Seconds after entering the pitch, the Villarreal midfielder unleashed a superb left-footed strike from distance into the top corner to make it 3-0.
Gueye was not done. In the 71st minute he completed his brace with another outstanding left-footed finish, volleying home from Iliman Ndiaye’s assist.
There was still time for another substitute to get on the scoresheet, as Ndiaye carried the ball forward in the 82nd minute before firing past Hassan to complete a comprehensive 5-0 victory.
Senegal become the first African nation ever to score five goals in a World Cup finals match, but despite the emphatic win, their fate now depends on results elsewhere.
Iraq leave the tournament without a point, having conceded fifteen goals in three matches and suffering three heavy defeats.
Match Report
Senegal 5-0 Iraq
Goals: 4′ Diarra, 56′ Sarr, 59′ Pape Gueye, 71′ Pape Gueye, 82′ Iliman Ndiaye
Senegal (4-3-3): Diaw; Diatta, Seck (59′ Ciss), Niakhaté, Jakobs; I. Gueye, Camara (57′ Pape Gueye), Diarra (57′ Iliman Ndiaye); Mbaye (57′ Jackson), I. Sarr (81′ Diao), Mané.
Coach: Pape Thiaw
Iraq (4-2-3-1): Basil (46′ Hassan); Sulaka, Putros, Hashim, Doski; Iqbal (67′ Yakob), Al-Ammari; Qasem (16′ Younis), Jasim (57′ Maknazi), Bayesh; Alhamadi (57′ Yousif).
Coach: Graham Arnold
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)
Booked: Seck, Al-Ammari, Pape Gueye, Doski
Sent off: Sulaka 13′
Group I Final Standings
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 9 | Qualified |
| 2 | Norway | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 6 | Qualified |
| 3 | Senegal | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 4 | Waiting for Best Third Places |
| 4 | Iraq | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 11 | -10 | 1 |
