Senegal boosted their hopes of reaching the FIFA World Cup round of 32 with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Iraq in their final Group I fixture, although their fate now rests on results elsewhere.
The Teranga Lions produced a dominant display to claim their first victory of the tournament, finishing third in Group I with three points. However, qualification remains uncertain as they await the conclusion of the remaining group-stage matches to determine whether they will progress as one of the best third-placed teams.
Currently, Senegal occupy sixth place in the ranking of the best third-placed teams with three points and a goal difference of +2. With Croatia and Algeria still to play their final group matches, the West Africans could slip further down the standings.
Belgium, DR Congo and Cape Verde also remain in contention for qualification and will be in action later on Friday. Positive results for any of those nations could end Senegal’s World Cup campaign despite their convincing victory over Iraq.
Senegal Run Riot
Knowing only a comprehensive victory would improve their chances of advancing, Senegal wasted little time asserting their dominance. Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra gave the Teranga Lions the perfect start, opening the scoring after just four minutes.
Their task became significantly easier nine minutes later when Iraq were reduced to ten men following a straight red card to Rebin Sulaka. Referee Anthony Taylor initially issued a yellow card to Sulaka but was later upgraded to a red following VAR intervention.
Despite enjoying a numerical advantage for most of the contest, Senegal struggled to fully capitalise before the interval and went into the break leading by just a single goal.
The second half, however, belonged entirely to the African side.
Ismaila Sarr doubled Senegal’s advantage 11 minutes after the restart, netting his third goal of the tournament to improve his side’s goal difference after defeats to France and Norway in their opening two matches.
Substitute Pape Gueye made an immediate impact after coming off the bench. The midfielder needed just two minutes to announce his arrival, firing home Senegal’s third goal only three minutes after Sarr had scored.
Gueye struck again later in the second half to complete his brace and put Senegal 4-0 ahead, pushing their goal difference into positive territory. Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye then rounded off the scoring eight minutes from time to seal an impressive 5-0 triumph.
For Iraq, it was a disappointing end to another difficult World Cup campaign. They exited the tournament without a single point after conceding 11 goals in three matches, meaning their long wait for a first-ever World Cup point continues for at least another four years.
Pape Gueye Makes History
Pape Gueye’s outstanding cameo also earned him a place in FIFA World Cup history.
The Villarreal midfielder became the first African player to score twice as a substitute in a men’s FIFA World Cup match since the tournament began in 1930.
His clinical brace not only strengthened Senegal’s hopes of progressing but also highlighted the depth within the squad, with the substitutes making a decisive impact when it mattered most.
Despite the record-breaking achievement, Senegal’s attention will now shift to events elsewhere as they anxiously await confirmation of whether their superior goal difference will be enough to secure a place among the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
France Thrash Norway To Top Group I
Elsewhere in Group I, France maintained their perfect record with a commanding 4-1 victory over Norway to finish top of the standings with maximum points.
Ousmane Dembélé starred for Les Bleus, producing a brilliant first-half hat-trick. Norway briefly threatened a comeback by pulling a goal back in between Dembélé’s second and third strikes.
Bradley Barcola, Dembélé’s club teammate, added France’s fourth goal to complete the convincing victory and register his second goal of the tournament.
France completed the group stage with three wins from three matches to finish on nine points, while Norway secured second place with six points to qualify automatically for the knockout stage.
For Senegal, however, the wait continues. Their emphatic victory over Iraq has kept their World Cup dream alive, but only the remaining group-stage fixtures will determine whether the Teranga Lions’ campaign extends into the round of 32 or comes to a heartbreaking end.
READ ALSO: Mid-Year Budget Could Lift Ghana’s Growth Target- IC Insights
