Senegal secured a commanding 5-0 victory against Iraq in a match held at Toronto Stadium, boosting their prospects of advancing to the World Cup knockout stage. The win significantly improved Senegal’s goal differential, positioning them favourably among third-placed teams.
The match began with an early advantage for Senegal. In the fourth minute, the ball found the back of Iraq’s net. Shortly after, approximately five minutes later, Iraq was reduced to ten men. This occurred when Rebin Sulaka was shown a red card after preventing former Bayern player Sadio Mané from taking a shot following a defensive error. The referee’s decision came after a review of the footage.
Senegal continued to build on their lead, with Ismaïla Sarr scoring, followed by a goal from Pape Gueye minutes later, extending their advantage to 3-0. The scoring spree culminated with a powerful strike from Iliman Ndiaye, which found the top right corner of Iraq’s net, making the score 5-0 in front of a sold-out crowd of 43,036 at Toronto Stadium.
Iraqi supporters maintain spirit despite elimination
Despite facing likely elimination from the World Cup after losing all three of their group stage games, Iraqi fans in Toronto remained supportive of their team. Drums continued to beat and flags waved as the Iraqi players made their rounds on the pitch, marking a poignant end to their first World Cup appearance in 40 years. Many Iraqi supporters travelled from Detroit to watch their national team compete.
One fan, Zaza Ak, expressed his admiration for Toronto, describing it as an “amazing place to visit” and noting the welcoming nature of its people. Ak, who is 28 years old, explored the city, including trying local restaurants, and is considering a return visit. Another visitor, Tony Saleh from Jordan, expressed disappointment with Toronto Stadium, describing it as “bad” and “too small,” and comparing it unfavourably to a stadium in San Francisco. Despite some concerns about the venue, Toronto was ranked third among World Cup host cities by one publication.
Senegal’s path to the knockout stage
The decisive victory against Iraq has placed Senegal in a strong position to advance as one of the best third-placed teams. Their goal differential now stands at plus-two, temporarily placing them in the fifth spot among third-place teams. While there remains a slim possibility of not qualifying for the knockout round, their current standing is promising.
Looking back at their earlier matches, Senegal demonstrated strong performances. They were the more dominant team for significant periods against France and showed a competitive spirit in their narrow defeat to Norway. The match against Iraq was considered a “do or die” situation for the West African side, and their win provides a realistic chance of reaching the round of 32, unlike a draw or defeat which would have led to their definite exit from the tournament.
Meanwhile, Canada is preparing to face South Africa in a Round of 32 clash. This matchup was unexpected by many, especially after South Africa’s victory over South Korea. South African soccer journalist Mbizo Mzamane believes Canada is a favourable opponent for his home nation, citing Canada’s lack of extensive football history compared to South Africa. Lebohang Mokoena, a former South African national team player, echoed this sentiment, stating that the opportunity for South Africa is “there for the taking” against Canada, which he does not consider a “powerhouse.”
However, some analysts, such as OneSoccer analyst James Brennan, caution against underestimating South Africa, highlighting their discipline and team chemistry. Amy Walsh, a former midfielder for the Canadian women’s national team, emphasized the importance of Canada maintaining their identity and playing with high tempo and aggression.
Source: ca.sports.yahoo.com
