Team Sportstar

Senegal's Iliman Ndiaye celebrates with teammate Moussa Niakhate after scoring the fifth and final goal. | Photo Credit: AFP

Senegal did all it could by defeating Iraq 5-0 in its final Group I match in Toronto and staying alive in the race for the knockout rounds.

With the five goals, its goal difference moved into positive territory, thus taking it to the fifth place in the standings for the best eight third-placed teams.

Croatia, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Belgium are among the teams that threaten to overtake the African side.

Senegal opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Habib Diarra deflected a header from a set-piece into the net. A red card to Rebin Sulaka in the 14th minute for denying a goal-scoring chance only made it easier for Senegal.

Ismaila Sarr, Pape Gueye, and Iliman Ndiaye all struck thundering shots to burst the net and complete the five-star performance.

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Published on Jun 27, 2026