World Cup 2026 Senegal Beat Iraq 5-0 but Still Go Out
SENEGAL · WORLD CUP
Key Facts
—World Cup 2026 Senegal: Senegal beat Iraq five-nil in Toronto in their final Group I game.
—Sarr at the double: Ismaila Sarr scored twice in the rout.
—Early red card: Iraq’s Rebin Sulaka was sent off after a video review for a foul on Sadio Mane.
—Both already out: Senegal and Iraq were eliminated before kickoff.
—Bittersweet win: Senegal finished third in Group I despite the heavy victory.
Senegal signed off with a thumping win, yet the five goals could not rescue a campaign that had already ended.
World Cup 2026 Senegal end on a high
Senegal beat Iraq five-nil at BMO Field in Toronto on Friday. The win was their first of the tournament, but it came too late.
According to FIFA’s official match centre, Ismaila Sarr scored twice. The game came in the final round of Group I fixtures.
Both sides had already been eliminated from Group I before kickoff. France and Norway had taken the two qualifying places.
An early red card sets the tone
Iraq’s Rebin Sulaka was sent off early after a video review. The referee judged that he had brought down Sadio Mane.
Reduced to ten men, Iraq could not contain a motivated Senegal. The dismissal shaped the rest of the contest.
Senegal pressed home the advantage with control and pace. The goals arrived steadily once the man advantage took hold.
The extra man let Senegal dominate possession from early on. Iraq were left chasing shadows for long stretches.
A win that could not save them
By The Rio Times’ reading of the table, Senegal’s five-goal win lifted them only to third in Group I. Their two opening defeats had already done the damage.
It is a rare case of a team winning by five and still heading home. The margin offered pride rather than progress.
Senegal had lost narrowly to both France and Norway earlier. Small margins in those games proved decisive.
Sarr leads the rout
Ismaila Sarr was the standout performer with his two goals. He gave a glimpse of the threat Senegal had carried all along.
Mane, the team’s talisman, was central to the early pressure. His drive won the foul that led to the red card.
The forward line clicked far too late to matter. That will frustrate a side with genuine attacking talent.
For long stretches of the group, Senegal had created chances without finishing them. Here, finally, the conversion arrived in abundance.
How Group I finished
France won the group with nine points, with Norway second on six. Senegal finished third and Iraq bottom with none.
The top two had effectively sealed their places before the final day. That left this match as a dead rubber.
Senegal will rue the fine margins that defined their group. A point in either earlier game might have changed everything.
Iraq’s tough night
Iraq leave the tournament without a point from their three games. The early red card made a difficult evening worse.
Their return to the World Cup stage was a milestone in itself. The results, though, fell well short of their hopes.
Iraq had shown flashes of organisation earlier in the group. The heavy defeat will overshadow those moments.
Why it matters
Senegal were among the African sides expected to make a deeper run. Their early exit is one of the disappointments of the group stage.
The performance hinted at what might have been with sharper finishing earlier. That gap between display and result will sting.
It also leaves Senegal with searching questions before the next cycle. A talented squad has little to show for the trip.
The coaching staff will study why the early games slipped away. Finding answers will shape the road to the next major tournament.
What comes next
Both Senegal and Iraq now exit the tournament and turn to rebuilding. Their attention shifts to future qualifying campaigns.
For Senegal, the talent base remains strong despite the setback. The next cycle offers a chance to put it right.
Iraq will draw lessons from competing at this level again. The experience should benefit a developing squad.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Senegal vs Iraq score?
Senegal won five-nil at BMO Field in Toronto. Ismaila Sarr scored twice in the win.
Why did Senegal still go out?
Senegal had lost their first two games to France and Norway. The win lifted them only to third in Group I.
What happened with the red card?
Iraq’s Rebin Sulaka was sent off early after a video review. He was judged to have fouled Sadio Mane.
Who won Group I?
France won Group I with nine points and Norway finished second. Both reached the round of thirty-two.
Are Senegal and Iraq both out?
Yes, both teams were eliminated at the group stage. Senegal finished third and Iraq finished bottom.
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