Highlights and goals of Senegal 5-0 Iraq in FIFA World Cup 2026

Senegal delivered a dominant performance from start to finish and fully deserved its emphatic victory. After taking the lead in the first half, the African side found even more space after the break and turned the contest into an attacking showcase. Iraq, hampered by an early red card, defended bravely but could not withstand Senegal's relentless pressure, as the Lions of Teranga secured a well-earned place in the World Cup Round of 32.

As the match approaches its final minutes, Senegal remains firmly in command. The Lions of Teranga continue to dominate possession, dictate the tempo and create dangerous attacking moves, giving Iraq almost no opportunity to respond. The African side has produced a commanding second-half performance and is looking to finish with an emphatic victory that could significantly boost its qualification hopes through a superior goal difference.

In the closing minutes, Senegal continues to play with relentless intensity and keeps pushing forward in search of even more goals. The Lions of Teranga have not taken their foot off the gas, pressing high and taking full advantage of an Iraqi side that appears physically and mentally exhausted. The African team is determined to finish with an emphatic victory and improve its goal difference, knowing it could be a decisive factor in the race to reach the knockout stage.

The match has turned into a one-sided display by Senegal. After a less convincing first half, the Lions of Teranga came alive after the break and have taken complete control with relentless pressure, dominant possession and continuous attacking moves. Iraq has struggled to get out of its own half and is simply trying to withstand the African side's relentless attacks. Senegal keeps pushing forward, looking to add more goals and strengthen its chances of advancing to the knockout stage.

Senegal continues to play with the same intensity despite holding a commanding lead and shows no intention of settling for a 4-0 victory. The Lions of Teranga keep pressing high, winning possession back quickly and looking for more scoring opportunities. Meanwhile, Iraq is beginning to feel the physical toll of playing with ten men for most of the match and is finding it increasingly difficult to cope with Senegal's relentless attacking pressure as the African side looks to improve its goal difference.

Senegal continues to dominate the match through long spells of possession and complete control of the game's tempo. The Lions of Teranga patiently circulate the ball, looking for gaps in Iraq's defense to create more scoring opportunities. Despite holding a comfortable lead, the African side has not taken its foot off the gas and continues to threaten in the attacking third, knowing that every additional goal could prove valuable in the race for qualification.

Senegal has fully come alive in the second half and is now playing with far greater intensity as it looks to increase its lead even further. The Lions of Teranga are pressing high, winning the ball back quickly and keeping Iraq pinned deep inside its own half. The African side knows that every additional goal could prove crucial in the race to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, so it continues to attack with confidence and determination.

Senegal remains in front on the scoreboard, but its attacking intensity has dropped noticeably in this stage of the second half. The Lions of Teranga continue to enjoy most of the possession, yet they are struggling to increase the tempo and create clear scoring opportunities against Iraq. At times the African side looks too passive and has not been able to make the most of its numerical advantage by finding a second goal.

Senegal came out for the second half with greater determination and immediately pushed play into Iraq's half. The Lions of Teranga are looking to make the most of their numerical advantage and extend their lead, while Iraq made a goalkeeper substitution at the start of the second period in an attempt to change the course of the match. The Asian side hopes the change will bring more stability at the back against Senegal's sustained pressure.

The first half is nearing its end, and Senegal continues to control the game with long spells of possession and play almost entirely in the attacking half. However, that dominance has not produced many clear scoring opportunities, as Iraq has remained compact defensively despite being down to ten men. The Lions of Teranga are comfortably protecting their lead, but they still need greater attacking precision if they want to extend their advantage before halftime.

Iraq remains committed to a cautious approach, relying almost entirely on quick counterattacks whenever it regains possession. Every recovery is seen as an opportunity to break forward, although the lack of support in attack has limited its threat. Senegal continues to dominate possession and dictate the tempo of the game, but it has struggled to find the final pass in dangerous areas. Despite playing with a numerical advantage, the Lions of Teranga have yet to turn that superiority into clear scoring chances or extend their lead.

Senegal has no intention of slowing down despite holding the lead and continues to play almost exclusively in the attacking half. The Lions of Teranga keep pressing high, winning the ball back quickly and patiently looking for openings to extend their advantage. Iraq, meanwhile, remains deep in its own half, focused on defending and weathering the pressure while hoping for a rare counterattack or a set-piece opportunity to threaten the Senegalese goal.

Senegal continues to dominate possession and manage the game intelligently, but in recent minutes it has lacked the cutting edge needed to turn that control into clear scoring chances. The Lions of Teranga are moving the ball patiently, focusing on maintaining their defensive shape while waiting for the right opportunity to attack. Despite being down to ten men, Iraq has taken advantage of the slower tempo to stay compact and prevent the African side from finding space in dangerous areas.

Senegal is now playing with greater composure, fully aware that the current scoreline could keep its hopes alive of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams at the World Cup. The African side is circulating the ball patiently, avoiding unnecessary risks while waiting for the right moment to attack. Although the tempo has slowed, the Lions of Teranga remain in control of the match and continue looking for a second goal that would put them in an even stronger position before the final whistle.

Iraq has enjoyed more possession over the last few minutes, although that is largely because Senegal has eased its pressure and allowed its opponent more time on the ball while protecting the lead. The African side remains well organized defensively, waiting for the right moment to regain possession and launch quick counterattacks. Iraq is trying to build its attacks patiently, but it still struggles to create clear scoring opportunities against the Senegalese defense.

Despite being down to ten men, Iraq has shown more ambition over the last few minutes and is trying to move play away from its own penalty area. The Asian side is looking to create danger through long balls, runs down the wings, and especially from set pieces such as free kicks and corners. Although Senegal still controls possession and dictates the tempo of the match, Iraq has not given up and continues searching for an opportunity to find an equalizer.

Playing with a numerical advantage, Senegal has taken complete control of the match and is spending long periods in the Iraqi half. The Lions of Teranga are dominating possession, moving the ball confidently and creating repeated chances as they search for a second goal. Reduced to ten men, Iraq has been forced to defend deep and absorb constant pressure, struggling to get out of its own half or build any meaningful counterattacks against the Senegalese defense.

Iraq's task became even more difficult after being reduced to ten men when their number 3 defender brought down Sadio Mané as he raced clear on goal, acting as the last defender. The referee immediately showed a straight red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. With both the numerical advantage and the lead on the scoreboard, Senegal is now in an excellent position to push for a second goal and take full control of the match.

After taking the lead, Senegal has kept up the pressure and continues to dominate the game with repeated attacks into the Iraqi penalty area. The Lions of Teranga are controlling possession, pressing high up the pitch and looking to capitalize on every opportunity to extend their advantage. Iraq, meanwhile, is struggling to play out from the back and has found it difficult to relieve the relentless pressure, as Senegal remains firmly in control and threatens with nearly every attack.

Senegal has started the match on the front foot, creating a couple of early chances by using the pace of Sadio Mané and Ismaïla Sarr down the flanks. Iraq, however, is not sitting back and has shown its intention to attack whenever possible through quick transitions and aggressive midfield pressure. The game has been played at a high tempo from the opening whistle, with both teams fully aware that only a positive result will keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.

Iraq head coach Graham Arnold remains optimistic despite two defeats, saying: "We have to move on quickly from this match and go out there to beat Senegal." He also stressed the importance of the occasion: "We will try to make history. We still have the chance to earn Iraq's first-ever World Cup point."

Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw described the match as decisive, saying: "We're playing a sort of final. If we want to stay in this competition, we have to win this game." He also admitted his team's disappointing start: "We were expected to be contenders, but now we need to wake up. There is no room for mistakes anymore."

The match against Senegal marks Iraq's first-ever FIFA World Cup meeting with an African nation. In 1986, Iraq faced Paraguay, Belgium and hosts Mexico, while in 2026 it was drawn alongside France, Norway and Senegal. Therefore, before kickoff, Iraq's World Cup record against African opposition was zero matches played, zero wins, zero draws and zero defeats, making this an entirely new international matchup.

Before facing Iraq, Senegal had met Asian opponents at the FIFA World Cup on two occasions and remained unbeaten. Their most notable result was a 3-1 victory over Qatar during the 2022 group stage through goals from Boulaye Dia, Famara Diédhiou and Bamba Dieng. Entering this match, Senegal's World Cup record against Asian nations stood at one win, one draw, no defeats, three goals scored and one conceded.

Iraq is competing in only its second FIFA World Cup after its debut in 1986. The team opened the 2026 tournament with a 4-1 defeat to Norway before losing 3-0 to France, leaving it on zero points with one goal scored, seven conceded and a -6 goal difference. Iraq's only goal came through Aymen Hussein against Norway, ending the nation's 40-year World Cup scoring drought since Ahmed Radhi's famous strike in Mexico 1986. 

Senegal is playing in its third consecutive FIFA World Cup and its fourth overall appearance. The Lions of Teranga opened the 2026 tournament with a 3-1 loss to France and a 3-2 defeat against Norway, leaving them with zero points, three goals scored, six conceded and a -3 goal difference before facing Iraq. Senegal's World Cup history also includes a remarkable quarter-final run in 2002, a Round of 16 appearance in 2022 and a group-stage exit in 2018, making it one of Africa's most successful World Cup nations.

Iraq has no new injury or suspension concerns ahead of its final Group I match. Head coach Graham Arnold is expected to keep the core of the side that faced France, with Aymen Al Hamadi, Ahmed Basil and Zidane Iqbal all available as Iraq chases its first World Cup points.

Senegal has one major absentee for this crucial match. First-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has been ruled out with a knee injury sustained against Norway and remains under medical evaluation. Yehvann Diouf replaces him in goal, while the rest of the regular starters, including captain Sadio Mané, are available for the decisive Group I clash. 

Iraq's last five matches include a 0-0 draw with Jordan, a 1-0 win over Oman, a 2-1 victory against Bolivia in the intercontinental playoff, followed by World Cup defeats 4-1 to Norway and 3-0 to France. During that stretch, Iraq has posted two wins, one draw and two losses, scoring four goals and conceding eight. Graham Arnold's side hopes to finish its first World Cup since 1986 with a memorable victory over Senegal.

Senegal enters this match after mixed recent form. The Lions of Teranga defeated Togo 2-0 in African World Cup qualifying, drew 1-1 with DR Congo in an international friendly and then beat Benin 3-1 before opening the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 3-1 defeat to France and a 3-2 loss against Norway. Across those five matches, Senegal has recorded two wins, one draw and two defeats, scoring 10 goals and conceding eight. Despite back-to-back World Cup losses, the team continues to create plenty of scoring chances heading into the decisive clash with Iraq.