The Lions of Teranga produced a clinical attacking display after the break, with Pape Gueye scoring twice in spectacular fashion, while Habib Diarra, Ismaila Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye also got on the scoresheet.

Senegal made a fast start, taking the lead in the fourth minute when Habib Diarra got the final touch on Abdoulaye Seck’s header to put his side ahead while both teams were still at full strength.

Iraq’s task became significantly harder shortly after. In the 13th minute, defender Rebin Sulaka was initially shown a yellow card for pulling back Sadio Mané as he broke through on goal. However, referee Anthony Taylor reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor and upgraded the decision to a red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

Despite their numerical advantage, Senegal were unable to extend their lead before halftime, going into the break 1-0 up after a frustrating remainder of the first half.

After the restart, however, the game shifted decisively in Senegal’s favour.

Lamine Camara sparked the second-half surge in the 56th minute, forcing a turnover inside the Iraq penalty area before driving to the byline and cutting the ball back for Ismaila Sarr, who tapped into an empty net to score his third goal of the tournament.

Pape Gueye, introduced shortly after, made an immediate impact. In the 59th minute, he collected a pass near the edge of the box, shifted onto his left foot and curled a superb effort into the top corner beyond goalkeeper Ahmed Basil.

He struck again in the 71st minute, reacting quickest to Iliman Ndiaye’s bouncing delivery and unleashing a powerful half-volley that gave Basil no chance.

Ndiaye then added the fifth in the 82nd minute, finishing from distance to complete a comprehensive victory.

The result saw Senegal finish third in Group I with three points and a goal difference of +2, keeping their hopes alive in the race for the best third-placed finishers.

They were later confirmed among the top eight third-placed teams and progressed to the round of 32, where they are set to face England, depending on final group outcomes.

For Iraq, it was a disappointing end to their campaign. They lost all three group matches and were eliminated from their second World Cup appearance and first since 1986.