Senegal 5-0 Iraq Player Ratings: Ruthless Display From Teranga Lions Against 10-Men Iraq Keeps Qualification Hopes Alive For Round of 32

The attention turned to Group I as Senegal took on Iraq in their last group stage game of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Senegal needed a win at all costs to keep their qualification hopes alive, even though they had to rely on other results elsewhere. Iraq were almost out of the competition after two direct losses, and were just playing for pride.

The Senegal national football team set the tone of the match from the very beginning, as Abdoulaye Seck's header from a corner deflected off Habib Diarra to give the Teranga Lions the lead in just the 4th minute. This was the fastest goal scored by Senegal ever in a World Cup, at just three minutes and twenty-two seconds.

Matters worsened for the Iraq national football team as Rebin Sulaka pulled Sadio Mane, just outside the box, after he was robbed of the ball by the ex-Liverpool forward.

A long VAR check confirmed that Sulaka was the final man in defence and therefore Anthony Taylor had no other choice but to dish out the red card in just the 13th minute of the game.

Senegal came out in the second half with the aim of improving their goal difference to have an outside chance of qualifying as one of the best eight third-placed teams. They were successful in their quest in the 56th minute when a sloppy trick from Zidane Iqbal made him lose the ball to Lamine Camara just outside the box, who kept charging in before cutting back for Ismaila Sarr to toe poke it home.

Just three minutes later, the Teranga Lions gained the much-needed positive goal difference, as substitute Pape Gueye, who had just come on, scored an absolute screamer to mar the chances of any Iraqi comeback.

The fourth was added by Pape Gueye once again, as Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye set him up nicely at the edge of the box with a header, and the Villarreal midfielder made no mistake in putting at the top left corner in the 71st minute.

Ndiaye joined the party shortly after, as he hit one from outside the box to make it five for the Teranga Lions on the day. The Iraqi players and fans were left distraught, which pulled the curtains down on a disastrous World Cup campaign.

Here are the Senegal vs Iraq Player Ratings.

Senegal National Football Team Player Ratings vs Iraq

Check out the Senegal national football team player ratings from the Senegal vs Iraq Player Ratings.

Iraq National Football Team Player Ratings vs Senegal

Have a look at the Iraq national football team player ratings from the Senegal vs Iraq Player Ratings.

Man of the Match

Pape Gueye was the man of the match from Senegal vs Iraq.

Worst Performer

Rebin Sulaka of Iraq was the worst performer in this Group I game from the FIFA World Cup 2026.