Senegal trounce Iraq 5-0, await qualification with third-place finish

Teranga Lions of Senegal secured their first win of the 2026 World Cup with a 5-0 victory over 10-man Iraq to bolster their chance of progressing into the knockout round as one of eight best third-placed nations. Pape Thiaw’s side had lost its first two matches and needed a big scoreline against Iraq, and they […]

Teranga Lions of Senegal secured their first win of the 2026 World Cup with a 5-0 victory over 10-man Iraq to bolster their chance of progressing into the knockout round as one of eight best third-placed nations.

Pape Thiaw’s side had lost its first two matches and needed a big scoreline against Iraq, and they were aided by a first half red card before Senegal scored four times in the second half to secure their biggest ever win in World Cup history.

Habib Diarra converted a corner kick delivery on fourth minutes to open the floodgates, and Iraq were down to 10 men when Rebn Sulaka was sent off for denying Sadio Mane a clear goalscoring opportunity in the 13th minute.

The disputed AFCON 2025 champions had to wait until the 56th minute to double their lead through Ismaila Sarr, before Pape Gueye added a brace to further double the scoreboard for Senegal. Iliman Ndiaye’s wonder strike sealed the five-star performance as Senegal finished Group I with three points and a plus-two goals difference.

They await the result of other final group phase results to confirm either progress into the knockout round, or elimination at the group stage.

In the other group game, Ousmane Dembele scored a first half hattrick as France thrashed a changed Norway side 5-1. Stale Solbakken made 10 changes to Norway’s starting XI, and suffered a heavy defeat that sealed a second-place finish in Group I, as France sealed first place with nine points.