Senegal kept their World Cup campaign alive with a dominant 5-0 victory over 10-man Iraq on Friday, becoming the first African nation to score five goals in a World Cup match.
The emphatic win lifted Senegal's hopes of reaching the last 32 as one of the tournament's eight best third-placed teams. They finished the group stage on three points with the strongest goal difference among the sides in that position. Iraq, meanwhile, ended a disappointing campaign without earning a single point after navigating a demanding qualification route.
Senegal took the lead early when Habib Diarra applied the faintest touch to Abdoulaye Seck's header from a corner. It was Diarra's first international goal since scoring in a friendly against England last year.
Iraq's already slim hopes suffered a major setback moments later when defender Rebin Sulaka was sent off after just 13 minutes. Head coach Graham Arnold had brought him into the starting line-up, but his afternoon ended early after English referee Anthony Taylor reviewed the incident on the pitch-side monitor and issued a red card for fouling Sadio Mane as the Senegal captain raced clear on goal.
The dismissal was the earliest red card of this World Cup and the fourth fastest in the tournament's history.
Despite playing with an extra man for most of the first half, Senegal created few clear opportunities. Iraq failed to register a meaningful chance, while Ismail Jakobs came closest for Senegal with a powerful strike from outside the penalty area that drifted narrowly wide with the goalkeeper beaten.
Senegal emerged after the break with far greater urgency. Iraq had also been forced into a change at half-time after goalkeeper Ahmed Basil, who had picked up a knock before the interval, was replaced by Jalal Hassan.
The substitute goalkeeper initially resisted sustained pressure but was beaten in the 56th minute after a costly mistake by former Manchester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal. His misplaced pass deep inside his own half handed possession to Senegal, allowing Ismaila Sarr to tap in his third goal of the tournament. The winger celebrated by lying on his back and punching the air in relief.
The match was effectively settled moments later through substitute Pape Gueye. Just 89 seconds after coming on, the Villarreal midfielder curled a superb long-range effort beyond Hassan to make it 3-0 in the 59th minute.
Gueye added his second goal 12 minutes later with an even more spectacular finish, striking a fierce half-volley that flew past the helpless goalkeeper.
Arnold could only watch from the technical area as his side's difficult afternoon worsened. Iliman Ndiaye completed the scoring eight minutes from time with another powerful long-range strike to seal Senegal's record-breaking victory and keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.
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