2026 World Cup: Senegal roars against Iraq and keeps hope alive

How hard it was for Pape Thiaw and his men. Forced to win by at least two goals, Senegal did the job against Iraq to hope to earn a spot among the best eight third-placed teams at the end of the group stage.

A timid first half

Aware of what was at stake, the Lions started their match with a bang, opening the scoring after just four minutes of play, thanks to a header from Abdoulaye Seck extended by Habib Diarra. The pressure grew heavier on the Iraqi defense, who broke under it with a serious foul by Ruben Sulaka on Sadio Mané shortly before the quarter-hour mark (13^th). As the last defender, Sulaka was logically sent off as he denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity by preventing the Senegalese number 10 from heading alone towards the net.

Now with a numerical advantage, Senegal were expected to steamroll their opponents, but the Lions failed to capitalize on this important advantage and even frustrated their supporters with their lack of connection and accuracy in the final pass. To everyone’s surprise, it was by just one goal that Senegal led at halftime. But the wait was worth it.

Tactical adjustment and attacking festival

In the second half, Senegal scored again very early, with the lead doubled by Ismaila Sarr in the 56^th minute after great work by Lamine Camara on the left side. One minute later, Pape Thiaw made three changes, with Habib Diarra, Ibrahim Mbaye and Lamine Camara leaving and Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye, and Pape Gueye coming on.

These choices paid off for Thiaw as the Villarreal midfielder went on to bag a brace (59^th and 71^st) and the Everton genius also contributed to the feast with a fifth goal in the 82^nd minute to cap off a great evening for the Lions, who will now cross their fingers for the rest of the matches on matchday 3.

Senegal virtually through to the round of 32

At the time of writing, Senegal are qualified for the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup. With 3 points (+2), the Lions of Teranga have improved their goal difference and are currently among the best third-placed teams, but will have to wait for the end of the third matchday.

Half the job is done for Pape Thiaw and his men, who can also benefit from their attack (8 goals) in case of a tie on points with another team competing to finish among the top eight ranked nations to complete the round of 32 bracket.