Senegal Crush 10-Man Iraq 5-0 in World Cup Rout

Senegal 5-0 Iraq: World Cup Group Stage Domination

Senegal crushed 10-man Iraq 5-0 in their final World Cup group stage match, turning a chaotic early red card into a ruthless exhibition of attacking football that sent a thunderous message to the knockout rounds.

Senegal’s Lightning Start

The Lions of Teranga needed just four minutes to draw first blood. Abdoulaye Seck’s towering header found Habib Diarra, who stabbed home from close range to ignite the stands. Iraq’s nightmare deepened when Rebin Sulaka saw yellow for a reckless challenge in the 12th minute – upgraded to red after VAR intervention – leaving Graham Arnold’s side to play 77 minutes a man down.

Senegal smelled blood. Ismaila Sarr doubled the lead in the 56th minute, latching onto Lamine Camara’s threaded pass before slotting past the despairing Ali Al-Hamadi. The floodgates burst open as Pape Gueye announced himself with two goals in 12 minutes – first a clinical finish from Sarr’s cutback (59′), then a thunderous strike from Iliman Ndiaye’s layoff (71′).

Iraq’s Agonizing Collapse

Iraq’s resistance crumbled under wave after wave of Senegalese attacks. Their solitary shot on target – a tame effort in the 63rd minute – summed up a desperate evening. Ndiaye rubbed salt in the wounds with Senegal’s fifth in the 82nd minute, turning Gueye’s cross past a stranded Basil for the final humiliation.

The stats painted a brutal picture: Senegal’s 28 shots to Iraq’s 6, 69% possession, and an xG of 3.01 versus Iraq’s 0.14. Ali Al-Hamadi’s seven saves prevented an even more lopsided scoreline.

What This Means

For Senegal, this statement victory propels them into the knockout stages with terrifying momentum. Pape Gueye’s brace announces him as a tournament breakout star, while Aliou Cissé’s side flexed their depth with five second-half substitutions.

Iraq exit the World Cup with heads bowed but pride intact after earlier group stage heroics. Graham Arnold must rebuild after this defensive collapse, but their tournament will be remembered for brighter moments than this brutal farewell.

Key Moments

4′ ⚽ Senegal — H. Diarra (assist: A. Seck)

13′ 🟥 Iraq — Rebin Sulaka sent off

56′ ⚽ Senegal — I. Sarr (assist: L. Camara)

59′ ⚽ Senegal — P. Gueye (assist: I. Sarr)

71′ ⚽ Senegal — P. Gueye (assist: I. Ndiaye)

82′ ⚽ Senegal — I. Ndiaye (assist: P. Gueye)