📅 June 26, 2026 | By Pulse India News Desk
Pape Gueye celebrates with Sadio Mané after scoring in Senegal’s dominant win over Iraq.
| Match | Senegal vs Iraq |
| Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026™ – Group I |
| Venue | Toronto Stadium |
| Date | Friday, June 26, 2026 |
| Final Score | Senegal 5-0 Iraq |
| Goals | Habib Diarra 4’, Ismaïla Sarr 56’, Pape Gueye 59’, 71’, Iliman Ndiaye 82’ |
| Red Card | Rebin Sulaka 13’ |
| Group Result | Senegal finished third in Group I with 3 points, while Iraq ended bottom with 0 points. |
Senegal Hit Five Past 10-Man Iraq To Keep Knockout Hopes Alive
Senegal produced their most complete performance of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ as they thrashed Iraq 5-0 in their final Group I match at Toronto Stadium.
The Lions of Teranga were already ahead inside four minutes before Iraq defender Rebin Sulaka was sent off early, allowing Senegal to completely dominate possession, territory and chances.
- Senegal defeated Iraq 5-0 in their final Group I fixture.
- Habib Diarra gave Senegal a dream start in the 4th minute.
- Iraq defender Rebin Sulaka was sent off in the 13th minute.
- Ismaïla Sarr doubled the lead shortly after halftime.
- Pape Gueye came off the bench and scored a superb second-half brace.
- Iliman Ndiaye completed the rout in the 82nd minute.
- Senegal finished third in Group I and boosted their best third-place qualification hopes.
Senegal 5-0 Iraq: Lions Of Teranga End Group Stage In Style
Senegal entered the match needing a big result to keep their knockout hopes alive, and they delivered exactly that. Pape Thiaw’s side played with urgency from the opening whistle and quickly pinned Iraq deep inside their own half.
The breakthrough came in the fourth minute when Abdoulaye Seck’s header deflected off Habib Diarra and found the net. From that moment, Senegal controlled the rhythm and forced Iraq into constant defensive recovery.
The match changed completely in the 13th minute when Rebin Sulaka was shown a straight red card for bringing down Sadio Mané as he raced through on goal. Iraq were forced into a defensive reshuffle, and Senegal never looked back.
Ismaïla Sarr scores Senegal’s second goal against Iraq after the restart.
📊 Match Timeline
| Minute | Event | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 4′ | ⚽ Habib Diarra scores | Senegal take an early 1-0 lead after a deflected header. |
| 13′ | 🔴 Rebin Sulaka red card | Iraq are reduced to 10 men after a last-man foul on Sadio Mané. |
| 15′ | 🔄 Iraq substitution | Manaf Younis replaces Ahmed Qasem as Iraq switch to damage control. |
| 17′ | 🟨 Abdoulaye Seck booked | Senegal defender receives a yellow card. |
| 46′ | 🔄 Iraq goalkeeper change | Jalal Hassan replaces Ahmed Basil at halftime. |
| 56′ | ⚽ Ismaïla Sarr scores | Senegal double their lead after Lamine Camara’s assist. |
| 58′ | 🔄 Senegal triple change | Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye and Pape Gueye are introduced. |
| 59′ | ⚽ Pape Gueye scores | The substitute makes an instant impact with a powerful strike. |
| 71′ | ⚽ Pape Gueye scores again | Gueye completes his brace with another superb finish. |
| 82′ | ⚽ Iliman Ndiaye scores | Ndiaye completes the 5-0 rout from Ismaïla Sarr’s assist. |
| 90′ | 🏁 Full-Time | Senegal finish Group I with a commanding victory. |
📈 Match Stats
| Stat | Senegal | Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 30 | 6 |
| Shots On Target | 12 | 1 |
| Possession | 69% | 31% |
| Passes | 574 | 271 |
| Pass Accuracy | 89% | 70% |
| Fouls | 10 | 11 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 2 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 1 |
| Offsides | 1 | 0 |
| Corners | 12 | 3 |
🔎 Tactical Analysis
The early red card changed everything: Iraq were already trailing when Rebin Sulaka was dismissed, but the red card removed any chance of building pressure or playing through Senegal’s press.
Senegal’s wide overloads: Sadio Mané, Ismaïla Sarr and Ibrahim Mbaye repeatedly stretched Iraq’s back line, creating gaps between full-back and centre-back zones.
Pape Gueye’s instant impact: Introduced in the second half, Gueye transformed the match from a controlled win into a statement result. His two goals gave Senegal the goal-difference boost they desperately needed.
Iraq trapped deep: With only 31% possession and one shot on target, Iraq spent most of the match defending inside their own third. The 10-man disadvantage made progression almost impossible.
Senegal’s urgency paid off: The Lions of Teranga knew goal difference could matter in the third-place qualification race, and their second-half substitutions showed clear attacking intent.
Pape Gueye celebrates with Sadio Mané after scoring one of Senegal’s second-half goals.
📋 Confirmed Lineups & Formations
Goalkeeper: Mory Diaw
Defenders: Krépin Diatta, Abdoulaye Seck, Moussa Niakhaté, Ismail Jakobs
Defensive Midfielders: Idrissa Gueye, Habib Diarra
Attacking Midfielders: Ibrahim Mbaye, Lamine Camara, Sadio Mané
Forward: Ismaïla Sarr
Notable Subs: Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye, Pape Gueye
Approach: Senegal pressed high, attacked wide areas aggressively and used their bench to chase more goals after halftime.
Goalkeeper: Ahmed Basil
Defenders: Frans Putros, Rebin Sulaka, Akam Hashim, Merchas Doski
Midfielders: Ibrahim Bayesh, Zidane Iqbal, Amir Al-Ammari, Ali Jasim
Forwards: Ahmed Qasem, Ali Al-Hamadi
Notable Subs: Manaf Younis, Jalal Hassan
Approach: Iraq started in a compact 4-4-2, but Sulaka’s red card forced them into a deeper survival block for most of the match.
⭐ Top Performers
⭐ Pape Gueye: Came off the bench and scored twice with ruthless finishing from distance.
⭐ Ismaïla Sarr: Scored Senegal’s second goal and assisted Iliman Ndiaye late on.
⭐ Sadio Mané: Constantly stretched Iraq’s defence and forced the decisive red-card incident.
⭐ Habib Diarra: Opened the scoring early and helped Senegal control midfield.
⭐ Lamine Camara: Created Senegal’s second goal and linked play smoothly between midfield and attack.
🏆 Final Group I Standings
| Pos | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | +8 | 9 | ✅ Advanced – Group Winner |
| 2 | Norway | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 6 | ✅ Advanced – Runner-up |
| 3 | Senegal | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 3 | Best third-place race |
| 4 | Iraq | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 12 | -11 | 0 | ❌ Eliminated |
📅 Qualification Scenario
| Team | Scenario |
|---|---|
| France | Qualified for the Round of 32 as Group I winners. |
| Norway | Qualified for the Round of 32 as Group I runners-up. |
| Senegal | Finished third and must wait on other results to confirm best third-place qualification. |
| Iraq | Eliminated after finishing bottom of Group I with zero points. |
Senegal delivered the ruthless attacking performance they needed. The early goal and red card opened the match, but the Lions of Teranga deserve credit for maintaining intensity and chasing goals until the final whistle.
Iraq were overwhelmed after Sulaka’s dismissal and struggled to escape their defensive third. Senegal’s second-half bench impact, especially through Pape Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye, turned the match into a statement victory.
Player of the Match: Pape Gueye ⭐
Key Moment: Rebin Sulaka’s 13th-minute red card
Senegal Status: Third-place qualification race
Iraq Status: Eliminated
Pulse India News Rating: 8.5/10
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