Toronto: Senegal emphatically kept their 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes alive on Saturday (IST), securing a commanding 5-0 victory over Iraq at Toronto Stadium. In a must-win Group I finale, the Lions of Teranga delivered the high-scoring performance they required to bolster their goal difference and remain in contention for a spot in the Round of 32.

The tone was set early when Habib Diarra opened the scoring in the fourth minute, powering home a header from a Lamine Camara corner. The task became significantly easier for Senegal in the 13th minute when Iraq defender Rebin Sulaka was shown a red card by referee Anthony Taylor for a foul on Sadio Mané.

Despite the numerical advantage, Senegal found the Iraqi defence stubborn for the remainder of the first half. However, the floodgates opened after the interval. Ismaïla Sarr doubled the lead in the 55th minute, prodding home from close range after a square ball from Camara.

Pape Gueye, coming off the bench, proved to be the standout performer of the second half. Gueye added a third in the 59th minute with a "thunderous left-footed strike" and struck again in the 71st minute to make it 4-0. The rout was completed in the 82nd minute when substitute Iliman Ndiaye fired a rocket into the top corner from 30 yards out.

The result leaves Senegal awaiting the outcome of other matches to confirm if they qualify as one of the best third-placed teams. While Iraq’s tournament concludes with the team having lost all three of their group fixtures, Senegal’s emphatic response to their opening losses has given them a fighting chance of extending their stay in the competition.