Senegal rout Iraq 5-0 to cling to World Cup knockout spot as Sarr sets scoring record

Match recap

Senegal defeated Iraq 5-0 in their final Group I match at Toronto Stadium on Friday, keeping their World Cup knockout hopes alive. Habib Diarra opened the scoring in the 4th minute when Abdoulaye Seck's header flicked off his boot into the net. Iraq were reduced to ten men nine minutes later after Rebin Sulaka was sent off for pulling down Sadio Mané as the last defender. Senegal couldn't extend their lead before half-time, but the second half turned into a goal fest.

Sarr's milestone

Ismaila Sarr doubled the lead in the 56th minute, tapping in Lamine Camara's low cross to score his fourth World Cup goal and surpass Papa Bouba Diop as Senegal's all-time leading scorer in the tournament. Sarr had matched Diop's tally with a brace against Norway earlier in the group stage, becoming the first Senegalese player to net at two World Cups. Teammates praised the quiet Crystal Palace forward.

“He's an inspiration. He's like someone who is really shy, really quiet, but the most important thing is what you do on the pitch, and on the pitch he is not shy.”

“He really, really deserves it. He puts everything into what he does.”

Second-half surge

Substitute Pape Gueye produced two spectacular long-range goals just minutes apart. Three minutes after Sarr's goal, Gueye curled a left-footed strike past Ahmed Basil into the top corner. He then hammered a half-volley in the 71st minute after a feed from Iliman Ndiaye. Ndiaye himself rifled home Senegal's fifth from distance in the 82nd minute. It marked the first time an African team has scored five goals in a single World Cup match.

Qualification picture

Senegal finished third in Group I with three points, behind France and Norway. Iraq ended with zero points and were eliminated. Senegal now hold the fifth-best record among third-placed teams, with a plus-two goal difference, but four teams below them have yet to play their final group matches. Their fate will be decided after Saturday's games.

Scotland's slim hopes

Senegal's big win had repercussions for Scotland, who dropped to ninth in the third-placed rankings and risk elimination before the weekend. They need results from Groups H and G to go their way, a Spain win over Uruguay and an Egypt victory against Iran, to stay in contention. Even then, Scotland will rely on specific outcomes in Groups J, K and L on Saturday.