Senegal, after 0/2 in the first two games for the World Cup, wanted a victory and with a goal difference against Iraq in the last matchday of the 9th group, in order to claim their qualification to the “32” phase, through the eight best thirds. The Africans not only won, but also achieved a comprehensive 5-0 victory, and now, with a goal ratio of 8-6, they have reasonable hopes of a place in the knockouts.
The Lions of Teranga saw Iraq reduced to a man in the 13th minute, 1-0 in their favour, and despite struggling for more than thirty minutes, they made a terrific second-half burst, finding the net four times in the space of 23 minutes.
They will now have to wait for the rest of the results in the remaining group games to see if they will continue in the tournament or if their progress will stop in the group stage.
The evolution of the match
Senegal started the match in the best possible way. The Africans knew they only wanted a win to keep alive their hopes of qualifying through the best-of-eight thirds, and they came in with a knife in their teeth, opening the scoring before the first quarter had even finished. In the 4th minute after Kamara’s corner, Diarra beat everyone in the air, took the header and sent the ball into the net for 1-0. In the 13th minute, things got even worse for Iraq as the numbers were reversed. After VAR intervention and an on-field review, Anthony Taylor sent off Rebin Sulaka, upgrading his initial yellow card to red as the Asian centre-back brought down Mane before finding himself in a good goal-scoring position.
Senegal immediately looked to capitalize on their numerical advantage, but Basile impressively saved captain and leader Sadio Mane’s direct free-kick in the 14th minute. The next good moment was late in coming for the Senegalese as Iraq closed down spaces, mainly looking to deny a second goal, with the Africans threatening with a powerful cross from Jacomts, which went wide of Basile’s right-hand post.
The last good moment of the first half belonged again to the “standard” home team. In stoppage time (45+1′), Mane entered the area, made a powerful long shot, but the ball went just over the crossbar.
In the second half, the scene did not change and the Senegalese came within a breath of doubling their lead in the 51st minute, but Mane failed to send the ball into the net from an advantageous position, ending the phase very badly, sending it hopelessly wide.
In the 56th minute, the Africans found what they were looking for as Iraq were down to ten, doubling their lead. After a mistake by the defense, Kamara took the ball, found Sarr at the right moment and the latter sent the ball into the net from close range for 2-0. From that point on, Senegal got rid of the stress and it didn’t take long to find a third goal. The Iraqis sold the ball again and Pape Geig made it 3-0 with a terrific shot from outside the area.
The icing on the cake was put by Endiag in the 82nd minute, making the final 5-0.
Senegal – Iraq 5-0
Goals: Diarra (4′), Sarr (56′), Geig (59′, 71′), Diagé 82′)
Yellows: Sek 18′, Amari (75′), Gei (81′)
Reds: Sulaka (13′)
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)
Senegal (Pape Tiao): Dio, Sek, Jacobs, Diata, Niakate, Geig, Kamara, Diarra, Mane, Sarr, Ebaye.
Iraq (Graham Arnold): Basil, Sulaka, Hashim, Doski, Putros, Bayes, Iqbal, Alamari, Alhamadi, Kasem, Yassim.
athletiko.gr