Pape Gueye scores another great goal, giving Senegal a 4-0 win over Iraq in the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The Senegal team demonstrated remarkable superiority in the confrontation against Iraq, maintaining a 4-0 lead in the 71st minute of the second half. The highlights of the match so far include Pape Gueye’s two decisive goals, which solidify the African team’s lead in a game full of twists and turns and crucial moments. The match, valid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, continues with great intensity and expectations about the outcome.
Senegal opens the scoring early and imposes pace in the first half
From the first moments, the Senegal team showed great offensive momentum, taking no time to find the net. Just four minutes into the game, Habib Diarra took advantage of a well-executed corner kick and pushed the ball into the back of the goal, putting the Senegalese ahead. This early goal set the tone for the dominant stance that the team would maintain throughout the first half.
The pressure continued with several attempts from Idrissa Gueye and Sadio Mané, who narrowly missed out on extending the score. Iraq, in turn, tried to organize itself defensively, but faced difficulties in containing the agility and creativity of the opponent’s attack. Even with the Senegalese attacks, the Iraqi defense, including goalkeeper Ahmed Basil, managed to make good interventions to prevent the difference from increasing even further.
VAR decision results in expulsion and changes the outlook of the game
A controversial move 10 minutes into the game profoundly marked the development of the match. Following a foul committed by Iraq’s Rebin Sulaka, referee Anthony Taylor initially issued a yellow card. However, the VAR review was triggered, and analysis of the play led to a change in the decision.
After consulting the video, the yellow card was annulled and, to the surprise of many, Rebin Sulaka received a straight red card, being sent off the field. This decision left Iraq with one player less at the start of the match, a situation that would directly impact the team’s ability to react and contain Senegal’s offensive momentum for the remainder of the match. The expulsion was a crucial turning point, forcing coach Graham Arnold to make a strategic substitution, removing Ahmed Qasem for Manaf Younis in the 16th minute, in an attempt to rebuild the defense.
Show of goals in the second half and strategic substitutions
The second half brought even more excitement and goals for the fans, consolidating Senegal’s superiority. Ismaila Sarr was responsible for extending the lead in the 56th minute, taking advantage of a flaw in the Iraqi defense to calmly put the ball into the back of the net, making it 2-0. The goal reinforced the confidence of the Senegalese team, who saw their attackers creating clear chances to finish.
Following the game, the coaches made a series of substitutions, seeking to breathe new life into the teams. Senegal made four changes in a short space of time, including the additions of Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye, Pathe Ciss and Pape Gueye himself, who would become the big name of the final stage. The changes had an immediate effect, and just three minutes after the second goal, Pape Gueye, who had just entered, received a precise pass and delivered a powerful shot, scoring Senegal’s third goal in the 59th minute.
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The arrival of Pape Gueye transformed the Senegalese attack even further. In the 71st minute, the midfielder shone again when he received a pass at the edge of the area and shot first time, without hesitation, placing the ball on the left side of the goal. This great goal consolidated the 4-0 victory, demonstrating the precision and efficiency of Senegal’s attack. Iraq, despite the changes and the entry of Kevin Yakob, continued to struggle to contain the opponent’s momentum and create their own opportunities, with only one attempt by Ali Jasim in the 53rd minute.
Key moments of the match in real time: the timeline
Follow the decisive moments that marked the confrontation between Senegal and Iraq until the 71st minute of the game:
- 1′Referee Anthony Taylor blows the whistle and starts the game.
- 3′Lamine Camara (Senegal) takes the corner, and Idrissa Gueye (Senegal) finishes from the edge of the area, but the attempt is blocked.
- 4′ GOAL!Habib Diarra (Senegal) takes advantage of a corner kick and opens the scoring. Senegal 1 x 0 Iraq.
- 10′Rebin Sulaka (Iraq) receives a yellow card for a foul. The referee consults the VAR.
- 13′After a VAR review, Rebin Sulaka (Iraq) receives a straight red card and is sent off.
- 14′Sadio Mané (Senegal) takes a dangerous free kick, but Ahmed Basil (Iraq) makes a great save.
- 16′Substitution in Iraq: Manaf Younis replaces Ahmed Qasem.
- 23′Hydration break for athletes.
- 30′Moussa Niakhate (Senegal) commits a foul, and Iraq wins the penalty.
- 41′Ali Jasim (Iraq) opts for a short pass in the corner, and the Senegalese defense clears it.
- 45+1′Sadio Mané (Senegal) shoots hard and the ball scrapes the crossbar.
- 45+9′Senegal exchanges short passes in search of a new opportunity.
- 45+10′End of the first half.
- 46′Start of the second half. Jalal Hachim (Iraq) replaces Ahmed Basil.
- 51′Sadio Mané (Senegal) tries a shot, which goes very close to the right post.
- 54′Ismaila Sarr (Senegal) shoots low, but the goalkeeper makes a good save.
- 56′ GOAL!Ismaila Sarr (Senegal) takes advantage of the rebound and increases the score. Senegal 2 x 0 Iraq.
- 57′Quadruple substitution in Senegal: Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson, Pape Gueye and Pathe Ciss replace Ibrahim Mbaye, Lamine Camara, Habib Diarra and Abdoulaye Seck, respectively.
- 58′Double substitution in Iraq: Ahmed Al Reeshawee and Ali Yousif replace Ali Jasim and Ali Al Hamadi.
- 59′ GOAL!Pape Gueye (Senegal), newly introduced, receives a classy pass and shoots hard to score. Senegal 3 x 0 Iraq.
- 67′Substitution in Iraq: Kevin Yakob replaces Zidane Iqbal.
- 68′Second hydration break.
- 71′ GOAL!Pape Gueye (Senegal) shoots from the edge of the area and makes the fourth. Senegal 4 x 0 Iraq.
Follow the final stretch of the match live on Mix Vale
With the score at 4-0 in favor of Senegal after 71 minutes, the match remains open, and the final minutes promise to define the fate of the clash. The Iraq team, with one player less, seeks to reorganize itself to avoid an even bigger defeat, while Senegal tries to maintain the pace and, who knows, increase its advantage even further.
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