World Cup 2026: Senegal dominate Iraq in emphatic 5-0 win

Senegal crushed Iraq 5-0 on June 26, 2026, at BMO Field in Toronto, in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup. Making the most of a man advantage earned as early as the 13th minute after Rebin Sulaka was sent off, the Lions of Teranga pulled away through controlled attacking play and remarkable efficiency. This victory is crucial in reviving their chances of qualification in a Group I currently led by France and Norway.

Before this clash, the two teams occupied the bottom places in the group with two defeats each. Senegal, beaten 2-3 by Norway, and Iraq, defeated 0-1 by France, absolutely had to win to keep alive hopes of reaching the round of 16. The match therefore lived up to expectations in terms of commitment and the clear gap in quality on display.

The match swung very quickly with Habib Diarra’s opening goal in the 4th minute, from a precise pass by Abdoulaye Seck. Shortly afterward, Iraq were reduced to 10 men following the straight red card shown to Sulaka in the 13th minute, greatly complicating the tactical plans of their head coach Graham Arnold. Senegal made the most of that advantage to create wave after wave of attacks.

With 69% possession and 27 shots, including 11 on target, the Senegalese imposed their rhythm against an Iraqi side that was largely dominated and restricted to a single shot on target in the first half. The strong presence in midfield, led in particular by Idrissa Gana Gueye, Lamine Camara and Habib Diarra, allowed Senegal to control the game effectively, while in attack Ismaïla Sarr, Sadio Mané and Ibrahim Mbaye made the difference.

After the break, the introductions of Pape Gueye, Iliman Ndiaye and Nicolas Jackson increased Senegal’s superiority. Pape Gueye scored twice and provided an assist, while Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr also contributed to the attacking show with a goal apiece. The team’s cohesion and fluidity produced a stream of chances that an overwhelmed Iraqi defense could not contain.

A collective masterclass from the Lions of Teranga in a 4-3-3

Under the direction of coach Bouna Thiaw Pape, Senegal lined up in an effective and balanced 4-3-3 formation. Goalkeeper Mory Diaw had little to do, protected by a solid defense made up of Krépin Diatta, Abdoulaye Seck, Moussa Niakhaté and Ismail Jakobs. In midfield, Habib Diarra, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Lamine Camara dictated the tempo, combining technical quality with physical intensity.

In attack, Sadio Mané, Ismaïla Sarr and Ibrahim Mbaye took advantage of the spaces created by their dominance in midfield. The bench reinforced that system with impact players such as Pape Gueye, who scored two goals and added an assist in around half an hour, and Iliman Ndiaye, who was involved in a goal. That depth from the bench smothered any attempt at an opposition comeback.

Iraq struggle against Senegal’s aggression in a 4-2-3-1

Iraq head coach Graham Arnold tried to set up his team in a 4-2-3-1, with Ahmed Basil in goal and a defensive line comprising Frans Putros, Rebin Sulaka, Akam Hashem and Merchas Doski. However, Sulaka’s sending-off reduced his defensive options inside the opening quarter of an hour.

In midfield, Zidane Iqbal and Amir Al-Ammari were unable to contain Senegal’s physical power and creativity. Up front, Ali Al-Hamadi found himself isolated, with just one shot on target across the entire match. Despite several changes at the break, including the introductions of Ahmed Qasem and Ali Jasim, Iraq could not reverse the trend and suffered a heavy defeat that seriously complicates their chances.

Senegal

Finished 5-0 BMO Field

Iraq

26/06/2026 20:00 · Group I

Fil du match

1. 4'⚽But - H. Diarra (passe A. Seck)Sénégal, 4e
2. 13'Carton rouge - R. Sulaka1-0Irak
3. 16'↑↓Remplacement - A. Qasem (remplace M. Younis)Irak, 16e
4. 18'Carton jaune - A. SeckSénégal, 18e
5. 46'↑↓Remplacement - A. Basil (remplace J. Hassan)Irak, 46e
6. 56'⚽But - I. Sarr (passe L. Camara)Sénégal, 56e
7. 57'↑↓Remplacement - H. Diarra (remplace P. Gueye)Sénégal, 57e
8. 57'↑↓Remplacement - I. Mbaye (remplace I. Ndiaye)Sénégal, 57e
9. 57'↑↓Remplacement - L. Camara (remplace N. Jackson)Sénégal, 57e
10. 58'↑↓Remplacement - A. Jasim (remplace A. Al Reeshawee)Irak, 58e
11. 58'↑↓Remplacement - A. Al Hamadi (remplace A. Yousif)Irak, 58e
12. 58'↑↓Remplacement - A. Seck (remplace P. Ciss)Sénégal, 58e
13. 59'⚽But - P. Gueye (passe I. Sarr)Sénégal, 59e
14. 67'↑↓Remplacement - Z. Iqbal (remplace K. Yakob)Irak, 67e
15. 71'⚽But - P. Gueye (passe I. Ndiaye)Sénégal, 71e
16. 75'Carton jaune - A. Al AmmariIrak, 75e
17. 81'↑↓Remplacement - I. Sarr (remplace A. Diao)Sénégal, 81e
18. 81'Carton jaune - P. GueyeSénégal, 81e
19. 82'⚽But - I. Ndiaye (passe P. Gueye)Sénégal, 82e
20. 90'Carton jaune - M. DoskiIrak, 90e

Les chiffres du match

• Tirs cadres : Senegal 11 / Iraq 1
• Tirs : Senegal 27 / Iraq 6
• Possession : Senegal 69% / Iraq 31%
• Corners : Senegal 12 / Iraq 3
• Fautes : Senegal 10 / Iraq 10
• Cartons jaunes : Senegal 2 / Iraq 2
• Cartons rouges : Senegal 0 / Iraq 1
• Passes : Senegal 553 / Iraq 258
• Precision des passes : Senegal 88% / Iraq 71%
• xG : Senegal 3.01 / Iraq 0.18

Joueurs clés

• Pape Gueye (Senegal) : note 9.6, 2 but(s), 1 passe(s) decisive(s), 1 carton(s) jaune(s)
• Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal) : note 8.2, 1 but(s), 1 passe(s) decisive(s)
• Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal) : note 7.6, 1 but(s), 1 passe(s) decisive(s)
• Lamine Camara (Senegal) : note 8.3, 1 passe(s) decisive(s)
• Habib Diarra (Senegal) : note 7.2, 1 but(s)

Group I schedule

View full schedule

View match details for France - Senegal

16/06 Group I

France

Finished 3-1 MetLife Stadium

Senegal

View match details for Iraq - Norway

16/06 Group I

Iraq

Finished 1-4 Gillette Stadium

Norway

View match details for France - Iraq

22/06 Group I

France

Upcoming 1-0 Lincoln Financial Field

Iraq

View match details for Norway - Senegal

23/06 Group I

Norway

Finished 3-2 MetLife Stadium

Senegal

View match details for Norway - France

26/06 Group I

Norway

Finished 1-4 Gillette Stadium

France

View match details for Senegal - Iraq

26/06 Group I

Senegal

Finished 5-0 BMO Field

Iraq