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FWC on Sport Nation guideSenegal thrash 10-man Iraq as Scottish hopes fizzle
Press Association • June 27th, 2026 1:37 pm
Ismaila Sarr scored in the 5-0 win over Iraq to become Senegal's all-time World Cup top goalscorer | Photo: EPA
Scotland were dealt another blow to their hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout stages after Senegal cruised to a 5-0 victory over 10-man Iraq to move into the top eight best third-placed sides.
Iraq, coached by former Socceroos mentor Graham Arnold, suffered an early setback when Habib Diarra opened the scoring after just four minutes in Toronto.
Then Rebin Sulaka was sent off for eliminated Iraq for bringing down Sadio Mane in the 13th minute, ending any hope for Arnold's men.
Coach Graham Arnold couldn't do much from the touchline after the Iraqis were reduced to 10 men | Photo: EPA
Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr added a goal and an assist, and there was a stunning second-half brace from substitute Pape Gueye before Iliman Ndiaye added a valuable fifth towards Senegal's goal difference.
Diarra opened the scoring after Abdoulaye Seck had powered a header goalwards which was flicked home by Sunderland midfielder Diarra.
Things got even worse for Iraq nine minutes later when English referee Anthony Taylor, who had initially shown a caution to Sulaka, was called to the monitor and upgraded to a red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Sarr doubled Senegal's lead four minutes before the hour, making no mistake from close range after receiving Lamine Camara's squared pass to become his country's all-time World Cup top goalscorer with four goals, including three at this tournament.
Gueye got himself on the scoresheet three minutes later, just 89 seconds after his introduction, and added another in the 71st minute before fellow substitute Ndiaye, who had earlier earned an assist, blasted past the hapless Hassan with eight minutes remaining.
