Senegal produced their best performance of the tournament, beating Iraq 5-0 at BMO Field on Friday evening to close out their World Cup group stage campaign.
The result changed nothing in Group I. France and Norway had already secured the two qualification spots, each collecting six points from their opening two games.
Iraq set up compactly with Ali Al-Hamadi as a focal point up front. That defensive approach quickly became irrelevant when the game’s defining moment arrived inside the first quarter-hour.
Rebin Sulaka then received his marching orders on 13 minutes, leaving Iraq to defend with ten men for almost the entire match. Any hope of a contest effectively ended there.
Iraq barely threatened. Ahmed Basil made seven saves before being replaced at half-time, while Senegal’s goalkeeper Mory Diaw faced just one shot on target across the full 90 minutes.
Senegal dominated every statistical category. Their 69% possession, 12 corner kicks, and 17 shots inside the box reflected the total control they exerted over a depleted Iraqi side.
Gueye added his second on 71 minutes, this time assisted by fellow substitute Iliman Ndiaye. Senegal’s triple change on 57 minutes turned the game into a procession.
Iraq’s frustration showed late on. Al-Ammari was booked on 75 minutes and Merchas Doski picked up a yellow in stoppage time, capping a miserable evening for the ten men.
Iraq also bow out at the group stage, finishing bottom with no points and a goal difference of minus eleven after three defeats across the tournament.