The Lions of Teranga make World Cup history as Pape Gueye’s stunning brace lights up BMO Field
By Norman Mwale
“This was Senegal showing Africa’s pedigree on the world stage. Ruthless, disciplined, and full of belief.”
Senegal delivered a resounding 5-0 victory over Iraq at BMO Field in Toronto to announce themselves as a serious force at this World Cup, turning the contest into a one-sided rout after an early red card left the Asian side with a mountain to climb. What began as a competitive opener was effectively settled inside four minutes, and the Lions of Teranga never let up, producing a performance defined by clinical finishing, midfield dominance, and the individual brilliance of substitute Pape Gueye.
The breakthrough arrived with brutal efficiency. Abdoulaye Seck rose highest to meet a corner and powered a header toward goal in the fourth minute, with Habib Diarra getting the decisive final touch to put Senegal in front. The complexion of the match changed nine minutes later when Iraq defender Rebin Sulaka was dismissed in the 13th minute — a yellow card for bringing down captain Sadio Mané upgraded to red following a VAR review — reducing the visitors to ten men and forcing them into a defensive shell from which they never recovered.
Senegal doubled their advantage in the 56th minute through Ismaila Sarr, who fired in Lamine Camara’s cut-back after an Iraqi error to make it 2-0 and settle any lingering nerves. Three minutes later, the stage belonged to Pape Gueye. Just 89 seconds after coming on as a substitute, he curled a stunning left-footed strike from outside the box into the far corner in the 59th minute — and was not finished there. He outdid even that effort in the 71st minute with a ferocious half-volley clocked at 132 km/h that flew past the helpless goalkeeper, completing his brace and underlining his extraordinary impact from the bench. Iliman Ndiaye wrapped up the scoring in the 82nd minute with a cool long-range strike to make it 5-0 and cap a night of attacking excellence — one that made history as the first time an African nation has scored five goals in a single World Cup match.
Speaking after the match, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw praised his side’s mentality and precision. “We respected Iraq, but we also respected ourselves,” Thiaw said. “To score five goals at a World Cup, with discipline after the red card, shows the maturity of this group. Gueye was exceptional, but it was a collective performance.” Man of the Match Pape Gueye reflected on a special evening for his country. “That first strike felt perfect the moment it left my boot,” Gueye said. “More important is the win for Senegal and for Africa.” Iraq coach Graham Arnold admitted his side were undone by the early dismissal. “To play 77 minutes with ten men against Senegal is very difficult,” Arnold said. “We must learn quickly and be better in the next game.”
The result leaves Senegal with a significant goal-difference boost and real momentum heading into the knockout stage, while Iraq bow out of the tournament without a point. For the Lions of Teranga, Diarra’s early opener, Sarr’s 56th-minute finish, Gueye’s 59th and 71st-minute masterclass from the bench, and Ndiaye’s late screamer combined to produce a night — and a scoreline — that Toronto will not forget in a hurry.
