Senegal turned the primary African facet to attain 5 objectives in a World Cup match, a shocking double by Pape Gueye inspiring them to a 5-0 win over 10-man Iraq of their last Group I match on Friday.
Senegal additionally boosted their probabilities of progressing to the final 32 as one of many eight finest third-placed groups — they’ve the very best objective distinction of the groups on three factors.
Iraq went residence with no level after a vastly disappointing marketing campaign following an arduous path to qualify.
Senegal struck early, Habib Diarra getting the slightest of touches to Abdoulaye Seck’s header from a nook, for his first worldwide objective since he scored in a pleasant towards England final 12 months.
Iraq’s already slim hopes of maintaining their hopes alive suffered a hammer blow a couple of minutes later.
Defender Rebin Sulaka had been introduced into the beginning line-up by Iraq coach Graham Arnold however his contribution lasted simply 13 minutes.
English referee Anthony Taylor red-carded him after consulting the VAR display screen for fouling Sadio Mane when the Senegal talisman was clear on objective.
It was the earliest purple card of the 9 thus far within the World Cup, the fourth quickest within the match’s historical past.
Iraq had been unable to vogue an opportunity in the remainder of the half and regardless of their one man benefit Senegal might solely muster one, Ismail Jacobs fierce strike from exterior the field simply going broad with the keeper crushed.
Senegal got here out for the second-half bristling with intent.
Iraq had been additional destabilized as they needed to substitute goalkeeper Ahmed Basil, who had taken a knock within the first half, with Jalal Hassan on the break.
Hassan survived the early wave of assaults however was helpless when Senegal lastly obtained into their stride.
Ismaila Sarr tapped in within the 56th minute, for his third objective of the match, after a horrible error by former Manchester United participant Zidane Iqbal deep inside his personal half gifted Senegal possession.
The reduction of the second objective had Sarr mendacity inclined on his again pumping his fists with pleasure.
Then got here the Gueye present and it had the followers off their seats.
Inside 89 seconds of approaching as an alternative he let rip from exterior the field with a elegant curling effort that gave Hassan no likelihood for 3-0 within the 59th minute.
The Villarreal midfielder presumably outdid that effort with a vicious half volley 12 minutes later that flew previous the keeper.
Arnold was lowered to leaning on the dugout and ruefully shaking his head, and will solely watch as Iliman Ndiaye scored with one other screamer eight minutes from time.
