The start of the match between Iraq and Senegal, valid for the simulated qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was marked by a dramatic turnaround. Rebin Sulaka, defender of the Iraqi team, received a straight red card in the 13th minute of the game, after a thorough review by the Video Referee (VAR). The early expulsion profoundly changed the dynamics of the match, which already had a 1-0 lead for Senegal.
VAR’s decision to turn an initial yellow card into a red card had a major impact on the game’s outlook. In a crucial event for the search for a place in the World Cup, Iraq found itself at a numerical disadvantage in the first moments, requiring an immediate tactical restructuring to contain the Senegalese momentum and prevent the disadvantage on the scoreboard from increasing. Referee Anthony Taylor, after consulting the pitchside monitor, confirmed the maximum penalty.
Rebin Sulaka’s early expulsion and VAR’s performance
The incident that led to Rebin Sulaka’s expulsion began 10 minutes into the first half. The Iraqi player committed a foul considered punishable, and referee Anthony Taylor immediately showed the yellow card. However, the move did not go unnoticed by the VAR team, who promptly recommended a review.
The VAR protocol was activated, and Taylor went to the monitor to analyze the move again. After a few moments of suspense, confirmation came: Sulaka’s infraction was reassessed as a more serious play, resulting in the cancellation of the yellow card and the direct application of the red card. This decision forced the Iraqi defender to leave, leaving his team with ten men on the field.
Senegal’s goal and numerical advantage
Even before the controversy with VAR, Senegal had already opened the scoring, establishing an important advantage. In the 4th minute of the game, Habib Diarra took advantage of a corner kick from Lamine Camara. With good positioning, Diarra used his body to push the ball into the back of the net, putting the Teranga Lions ahead on the scoreboard.
The goal at the beginning of the match already posed a challenge to Iraq, who needed to react. However, the situation became even more complicated with Sulaka’s expulsion. With the advantage of one goal and one more player, Senegal gained even greater control over the game, being able to dictate the pace of the match and exploit the spaces left by the opposing defense, now lacking.
The tactical implications of an early red card in the decisive clash
Sending off a player so early in a World Cup qualifying match represents one of the biggest tactical challenges for any team. For Iraq, losing Rebin Sulaka in the 13th minute is not just a matter of having one less defender; it is a complete reconfiguration of the game plan that the coaching staff had prepared. The team now needs to find a balance between defending the disadvantage and trying to create opportunities with fewer players, which invariably leads to a more reactive and defensive posture.
The Iraqi coach will certainly have to rethink his strategy, possibly sacrificing a striker or a midfielder to reinforce the defensive line and compensate for Sulaka’s absence. This change, in turn, impacts the team’s offensive capacity, which will have fewer options to pressure the opponent and seek a draw. Resilience and defensive organization become even more crucial for the remainder of the match, requiring redoubled physical and mental effort from the players on the field.
For Senegal, Sulaka’s expulsion provides a golden opportunity to consolidate their advantage. With an extra player, the team can explore the flanks, create overloads in the midfield and force the opposing defense to wear out even more. Ball possession tends to be greater for the Senegalese, who can dictate the pace of the game and choose the right moments to accelerate the plays and seek the second goal, which would seal an almost irreversible advantage.
Minute-by-minute coverage: key moments from the match so far
Follow the main moments and events of this exciting confrontation valid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with the match still in progress:
- 13′:After a thorough review by the Video Referee (VAR), the yellow card initially shown is cancelled, and defender Rebin Sulaka, from Iraq, receives a straight red card and is sent off the field.
- 10′:Referee Anthony Taylor gives the VAR signal and heads to the monitor to review the incident involving Rebin Sulaka, suggesting the possibility of a red card.
- 10′:Iraq player Rebin Sulaka is punished with a yellow card by referee Anthony Taylor after a foul.
- 8′:The ball leaves the field limits, and the referee signals a goal kick for the Senegal team.
- 6′:Referee Anthony Taylor stops the match after an Iraqi player commits an infraction, resulting in a free kick in favor of Senegal.
- 4′:SENEGAL GOAL! Habib Diarra successfully finishes after a corner kick, putting his team ahead on the scoreboard.
- 4′:Lamine Camara, from Senegal, is responsible for taking the corner kick, seeking to create a scoring opportunity for his team.
- 4′:Idrissa Gueye, from Senegal, takes a strong shot from the edge of the area, but the attempt is promptly blocked by the opposing defense.
- 3′:Lamine Camara, representing Senegal, takes the ball to the corner and crosses into the penalty area.
- 2′:A pass made by Ali Jasim, from Iraq, does not find a recipient and results in a throw-in in favor of the Senegal team.
- 1′:After observing a minute’s silence, the referee whistles the start of the match, with the Iraqi players leaving.
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The match remains hot and full of expectations. With a score of 1-0 for Senegal and Iraq with one player less, the dynamics of the game promise to be intense until the final whistle. The next few minutes will be decisive for Iraq, who will seek reorganization and resilience, and for Senegal, who will try to take advantage of the advantage to extend the score.