Gueye double powers Senegal to historic 5-0 World Cup win over Iraq

A dazzling performance from Pape Gueye helped Senegal thrash 10-man Iraq 5-0 on Friday, making the Lions of Teranga the first African nation to score five goals in a World Cup match.

The victory also boosted Senegal’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage as one of the eight best third-placed teams, with their superior goal difference giving them an advantage among teams sitting on three points.

For Iraq, the defeat ended a disappointing World Cup campaign in which they failed to collect a single point despite navigating a tough qualification path.

Senegal wasted little time taking control of the match as Habib Diarra got the slightest touch on Abdoulaye Seck’s header from a corner to open the scoring. It marked his first international goal since scoring against England in a friendly last year.

Iraq’s task became even harder shortly afterward when Rebin Sulaka was dismissed in the 13th minute.

Coach Graham Arnold had drafted the defender into the starting side, but his game ended early after referee Anthony Taylor reviewed a VAR incident and sent him off for bringing down Sadio Mane when the Senegal star was through on goal.

The sending-off became the earliest red card issued in this World Cup and the fourth quickest in the competition’s history.

Iraq struggled to threaten for the remainder of the first half, while Senegal’s best chance came from Ismail Jacobs, whose fierce long-range strike narrowly missed the target.

The African side emerged for the second half determined to press their advantage.

Iraq were further disrupted after goalkeeper Ahmed Basil, who suffered a knock before halftime, was replaced by Jalal Hassan.

Senegal finally doubled their lead in the 56th minute when Ismaila Sarr punished a costly giveaway from former Manchester United player Zidane Iqbal. Sarr celebrated his third goal of the tournament by falling to the turf and punching the air in celebration.

Then came a moment of magic from Gueye.

Only 89 seconds after entering the match, the Villarreal midfielder unleashed a superb curling shot from outside the area to make it 3-0.

He struck again 12 minutes later with a thunderous half-volley that left Hassan helpless.

Arnold watched on in frustration from the technical area as Iliman Ndiaye capped Senegal’s dominant display with another spectacular goal eight minutes from the end.

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