Senegal routs 10-man Iraq 5-0 to raise hopes of reaching World Cup knockout round
Senegal achieved a significant victory, defeating Iraq 5-0 in a match that has bolstered their chances of advancing to the World Cup knockout stage. The game, held at Toronto Stadium, saw Senegal establish an early lead and maintain control throughout.
The West African team found the net in the fourth minute. Shortly after, Iraq was reduced to ten men when Rebin Sulaka received a red card. This occurred approximately five minutes after Senegal‘s opening goal, following a defensive error that allowed former Bayern player Sadio Mané a clear path. Sulaka was penalized for holding Mané back and preventing a shot, with the referee issuing the red card after a review of the footage.
This match was critical for Senegal, with a win offering a realistic opportunity to reach the round of 32. A draw or a defeat would have resulted in their elimination. The team had shown strong performances in their previous two matches against France and Norway, appearing competitive even in a narrow defeat to Norway.
Senegal’s commanding performance
Senegal continued to extend their lead, with Ismaïla Sarr scoring and Pape Gueye adding another goal minutes later, bringing the score to 3-0. These goals significantly improved their chances of advancing to the knockout rounds by establishing a goal difference of zero at that point. The crowd at Toronto Stadium responded with loud cheers of “SE-NE-GAL!” as their team took firm control of the match.
Pape Gueye scored again, further increasing Senegal‘s lead to 4-0. This put them in a promising position regarding their goal differential, which became positive. The scoring continued with Iliman Ndiaye delivering a powerful strike into the top right of Iraq‘s net, making the score 5-0 in front of a sold-out crowd of 43,036 attendees.
With a 4-0 lead, Senegal placed themselves in a strong position to potentially advance as one of the best third-placed teams. Their five goals against Iraq increased their goal differential to plus-two, temporarily placing them in the fifth spot among third-place teams. While there remains a possibility of not qualifying for the knockout round, it is considered slim.
Iraq’s World Cup journey concludes
As the final minutes of added time concluded, Iraq‘s World Cup campaign came to an end, having lost all three of their group stage games. This marked Iraq‘s first appearance in the World Cup in 40 years. Despite the team’s elimination, Iraqi fans remained supportive, with drums still beating and flags waving as the players made their rounds on the pitch.
Visiting fans from various locations, including Tony Saleh from Jordan, expressed mixed feelings about the stadium experience in Toronto. While some praised the city, Saleh described Toronto Stadium as “bad” and “too small,” comparing it unfavorably to other venues he had visited. However, Sports Illustrated ranked Toronto third among the host cities for the World Cup.
Many Iraqi supporters, such as Zaza Ak, travelled from places like Detroit to watch their national team. Ak, who was visiting Toronto for the first time, spoke positively about the city, describing it as an “amazing place to visit” with “good people.” He also explored local restaurants and is considering a return visit.
Canada’s upcoming knockout stage match
Meanwhile, Canada is preparing to face South Africa in a World Cup round of 32 clash. This matchup follows South Africa‘s victory over South Korea, securing their spot in the knockout stage. Both teams will be making their knockout stage debuts in Los Angeles Stadium.
Mbizo Mzamane, a South African soccer journalist, views Canada as a favorable opponent for his home nation, expressing confidence in South Africa‘s ability to win the fixture. He acknowledged the quality of some Canadian players but did not see them as a significant threat compared to other stronger teams. Lebohang Mokoena, a former South African national team player, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Canada offers South Africa a viable path to the next round.
Analysts in Canada, however, have cautioned against underestimating South Africa. OneSoccer analyst James Brennan noted that South Africa is a “disciplined” squad with strong team chemistry, many of their players coming from clubs like Mamelodi Sundowns or Orlando Pirates. Amy Walsh, a former midfielder for the women’s national team, emphasized the importance of Canada maintaining its identity and playing a high-tempo, aggressive game. She also suggested that Moïse Bombito‘s speed and defensive presence could be crucial against South Africa‘s quick attack, despite his recent return from a fractured left tibia.
Source: ca.sports.yahoo.com
