Senegal rout Iraq 5-0 to keep World Cup knockout hopes alive, Scotland's chances fade
A second-half onslaught led by Pape Gueye's brace propelled Senegal to a 5-0 victory over 10-man Iraq, keeping their World Cup knockout dreams alive while dealing a near-fatal blow to Scotland's progression hopes.
Early blow for Iraq
Senegal took the lead in the fourth minute when Abdoulaye Seck's header flicked off Habib Diarra and looped over goalkeeper Ahmed Basil. Nine minutes later, Iraq's task became even harder as defender Rebin Sulaka was sent off. English referee Anthony Taylor initially showed a yellow card after Sulaka pulled back Sadio Mane on the edge of the box, but after consulting the VAR monitor, upgraded the decision to a red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
Second-half goal rush
Despite the man advantage, Senegal failed to convert again in the first half. The breakthrough came after the break. In the 56th minute, Lamine Camara squared for Ismaila Sarr to tap home from close range, making Sarr his country's all-time top World Cup scorer with four career goals. Substitute Pape Gueye then stole the show, scoring a curling left‑footed rocket in the 59th minute and a thunderous half‑volley in the 71st, both from outside the box. Iliman Ndiaye added a long-range fifth in the 82nd minute to complete the rout.
- 4 min: Habib Diarra scores from close range after Abdoulaye Seck's header.
- 13 min: Iraq's Rebin Sulaka sent off after VAR review for pulling down Sadio Mane.
- 56 min: Ismaila Sarr taps in Lamine Camara's cross for his fourth World Cup goal.
- 59 min: Substitute Pape Gueye curls a left-footed shot into the top corner.
- 71 min: Gueye scores his second with a powerful half-volley from outside the box.
- 82 min: Iliman Ndiaye fires home a long-range effort to make it 5-0.
Knockout stage arithmetic
The emphatic win lifted Senegal to third place in Group I with three points and a plus‑two goal difference, their largest margin of victory at a World Cup. They sit fifth in the table of best third‑placed teams, with Croatia, Algeria, Cape Verde, Belgium and DR Congo still to play and able to overtake them. The Athletic's predictor gives Senegal a 96 percent chance of progressing to the round of 32 once all group matches conclude on Saturday.
Scotland left on the brink
Senegal's result pushed Scotland out of the top eight third‑placed sides. The Scots now need a Spain win over Uruguay and an Egypt victory against Iran just to remain in contention before Saturday's final matches, and they would still rely on favourable outcomes in Groups J, K and L to advance.
