FIFA WC: Senegal keep knockout hopes alive with 5-0 demolition of 10-man Iraq
Toronto, June 27
Senegal kept their FIFA World Cup knockout hopes alive with a commanding 5-0 victory over 10-man Iraq in their final Group I match on Friday, while the Asian side bowed out of the tournament without a point.
Senegal needed a win to have any hope of making it through to the round of 32 as one of the best third-placed finishes and their second-half onslaught on the 10 men of Iraq was ruthless. Habib Diarra had given Senegal the lead with a deflected strike, and Iraq's chances of progressing suffered a huge blow when defender Rebin Sulaka was dismissed in the 13th minute after a VAR review of a challenge on Sadio Mane. The numerical superiority should have been overwhelming, but Senegal's difficulty in breaking down the Iraq defence was apparent and it took until the second half to complete the victory.
Ismaila Sarr's fourth career World Cup goal-which also made him Senegal's all-time leading scorer in the competition-extended the lead, before substitute Pape Gueye, having only entered the fray minutes earlier, provided two breathtaking moments of magic.
First Gueye smashed in a ferocious long-range drive at 84kph and then followed it up with another colossal effort at 103kph. Iliman Ndiaye completed the rout with a thunderous finish
However, Senegal's coach Malick Thiaw recognised there was scope for improvement after an uninspiring start and he will be looking for a better performance against either Egypt or another of a range of sides likely to be strong third-placed contenders should Senegal be good enough to make it through the tournament to the knockout stages.
Senegal finished third in Group I behind France and Norway with three points - and will have to cross their fingers and wait for the final games in Saturday's Group J and K schedule before they know if they have qualified for the round of 32 with the best possible record of a third-placed team. The best third-placed teams in the eight qualifying groups will advance - alongside the top two in each of the 12 sections - to a last-16 stage. The defeat meant Iraq ended a dismal tournament having lost all three matches in what was only their second World Cup appearance in 40 years.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Honestly, Iraq's red card changed everything. They were holding on so well in the first half. But 10 men against Senegal was always going to be tough. Sad that Iraq are going home without a single point. 😔
I'm impressed by Senegal's depth - even without their best XI, they scored 5 goals. Gueye coming off the bench and scoring two worldies... 🔥 India needs to develop that kind of bench strength. Watching the World Cup makes me realize how far we still have to go.
Gutted for Iraq - they came with high hopes after their Asian Cup performance. But let's be honest, at the World Cup level, you can't afford to go down to 10 men so early. Senegal were clinical when it mattered.
As someone who grew up watching African football on Doordarshan, this makes me so happy! Senegal showing why they were African champions. That said, I hope they improve their first-half performance if they want to go deep in the tournament.
One criticism though - Senegal's coach should have started Gueye. He completely changed the game. These 5 goals paper over the cracks. Against stronger teams, they can't afford such slow starts. But what a second half performance! 👏
R Rohit L