The Senegal national team produced a performance for the ages on June 27, 2026, demolishing Iraq 5-0 at the Toronto Stadium in a thrilling Group I encounter. This emphatic victory not only marked the first time an African nation has scored five goals in a men’s FIFA World Cup match but also kept the Lions of Teranga’s hopes of reaching the Round of 32 alive as they fight for a spot among the best third-placed teams .
First Half: Early Goal and a Crucial Red Card
Senegal knew that only a convincing win would give them a realistic chance of progressing, and they started with blistering intent. The breakthrough came in just the 4th minute. A corner from Lamine Camara was met by Abdoulaye Seck, whose header was turned in from close range by Habib Diarra . It was the earliest goal Senegal had ever scored in a World Cup match, setting the tone for the evening .
The match’s pivotal moment arrived in the 13th minute. Senegal captain Sadio Mané was racing through on goal when he was hauled down by Iraqi defender Rebin Sulaka. After a lengthy VAR review, referee Anthony Taylor upgraded the initial yellow card to a straight red, reducing Iraq to ten men for the remainder of the contest .
Despite the numerical advantage and dominating possession (58% in the first half), Senegal struggled to break down a resolute Iraqi defense before the break, going into halftime with a narrow 1-0 lead .
Second Half: A Goal-Scoring Masterclass
Whatever was said in the Senegal dressing room worked wonders. The team returned with renewed vigor, producing a second-half masterclass that left Iraq overwhelmed.
56th Minute (2-0): Ismaila Sarr doubled the lead, tapping in a perfect cross from Lamine Camara. This was Sarr’s fourth World Cup goal, making him Senegal’s all-time leading scorer at the tournament .
59th Minute (3-0): Substitute Pape Gueye made an immediate impact. Just 89 seconds after coming on, he unleashed a thunderous left-footed strike from outside the box into the roof of the net .
71st Minute (4-0): Gueye was far from finished. He completed his brace with another stunning long-range effort, leaving the Iraqi goalkeeper with no chance .
82nd Minute (5-0): The scoring was wrapped up by another substitute, Iliman Ndiaye, who curled a spectacular strike into the top corner to seal the record-breaking victory .
Key Player Performances
- Pape Gueye (Senegal): The midfielder was the undisputed star of the show. His two goals and an assist off the bench earned him a near-perfect Sofascore rating of 9.9 .
- Ismaila Sarr (Senegal): With a goal and an assist, Sarr showcased his importance to the team, becoming Senegal’s top World Cup goalscorer in the process .
- Rebin Sulaka (Iraq): His red card was the turning point of the match, leaving his team to fight an uphill battle for over 75 minutes .
Statistical Dominance
| Statistic | Senegal | Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 58% | 30% |
| Total Shots | 27 | 6 |
| Shots on Target | 11 | 1 |
| Corners | 12 | 3 |
| Passes Completed | 523 | 200 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 1 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 3.03 | 0.18 |
Senegal’s dominance extended across the pitch. They had 95 final-third entries to Iraq’s 32, with 51 touches in the opposition box compared to just 5 for Iraq . This overwhelming control allowed them to create chance after chance, culminating in a historic goal tally.
Senegal’s Path to the Knockout Stage
This victory was crucial for Senegal, who entered the match with a negative goal difference and no points . The five-goal haul boosted their goal difference to +2, placing them in a strong provisional position to qualify as one of the eight best third-placed teams .
However, their fate is no longer in their own hands. Head coach Pape Thiaw acknowledged this, stating, “We have done our job, but our fate is no longer in our hands. Now we can only wait for the results from the other groups” . Senegal must now wait for the conclusion of all group-stage matches to see if their historic win is enough to secure a spot in the next round .
Iraq’s Tournament Ends
For Iraq, the match marked the end of a difficult World Cup campaign. The 5-0 loss was their third consecutive defeat, meaning they leave the tournament without a single point . Despite qualifying for their second World Cup, they were unable to make a mark on the global stage.
A Night of Records and Hope
The Senegal vs. Iraq match was a display of sheer attacking power. Senegal’s 5-0 victory was not just a win; it was a statement. By becoming the first African team to score five goals in a World Cup game, they have etched their name into the history books . Now, the Lions of Teranga face an anxious wait to see if their record-breaking performance will be rewarded with a place in the knockout rounds.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Schedule & Group Table are here.