Senegal boss Pape Thiaw praised his side’s second-half improvements after they routed 10-man Iraq 5-0 to keep their hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout rounds alive.
The Lions of Teranga were left needing to win by several goals to stand a chance of qualifying as one of the eight best third-placed teams after starting their Group I campaign with defeats to France and Norway.
An early goal from Habib Diarra saw Senegal make an excellent start, before Iraq defender Rebin Sulaka was sent off following a VAR review for pulling back Sadio Mane.
Senegal were unable to immediately make the most of their numerical advantage, but the floodgates opened after Ismaila Sarr’s third goal of the tournament in the 56th minute.
Two stunning strikes from Pape Gueye and a brilliant long-range effort from Iliman Ndiaye turned the game into an historic rout, with Senegal in a strong spot to reach the round of 32 after becoming the first African side to score five goals in a game at the World Cup.
They sit fifth in the ranking of third-placed teams, with a goal difference of plus-two that is likely to be enough to keep them in the top eight.
“We really wanted to win, and especially score more goals,” Thiaw said. “Today, with this 5-0 victory, I think it’s deserved. The team was able to manage the game well.
“It was not easy at first, because we were facing a direct competitor who was also playing for qualification. They caused us problems and we sometimes lacked technical accuracy, with haste in our choices.
“At half-time, we corrected some things. By playing higher up the pitch and applying more pressure in their half, we controlled the game better.
“Now, qualification no longer depends on us. We did the job, what was needed. We have to wait for the other matches and hope to qualify.”
