FIFA World Cup 2026: Senegal Become First African Team to Score Five Goals in a World Cup Match

Senegal delivered one of the most dominant performances of the FIFA World Cup 2026, defeating Iraq 5-0 in Toronto and becoming the first African nation to score five goals in a World Cup match. The emphatic victory kept Senegal firmly in contention for a place in the knockout rounds while producing a series of remarkable individual and team records.

Historic night for Senegal and Sarr

The do-or-die Group H encounter saw Senegal rise to the occasion in spectacular fashion. According to Opta statistics, the Lions of Teranga became the first African team to score five goals in a FIFA World Cup fixture.

The night was equally memorable for Ismaila Sarr, who became the first Senegalese player to both score and provide an assist in a World Cup match. His goal also took him to four World Cup strikes, making him Senegal's outright leading scorer in the tournament's history.

Sarr, Pape Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye each registered a goal and an assist, marking the first time since Germany's 7-1 victory over Brazil in 2014 that three players from the same side achieved the feat in a World Cup match.

Ndiaye added another unique record to the evening, becoming the first player in FIFA World Cup history to come on as a substitute and then score a goal, provide an assist, register five touches in the opposition box and complete five dribbles in the same match.

Red card turns contest in Senegal's favour

Senegal struck early when Abdoulaye Seck's header from a corner in the fourth minute took a significant deflection off Habib Diarra and found its way past Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil.

Iraq's hopes suffered a major blow in the 13th minute when defender Rebin Sulaka was shown a straight red card for pulling back Sadio Mane on the edge of the penalty area. The decision was upheld following a VAR review for denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Despite controlling possession and territory, Senegal were unable to increase their lead before halftime, with Mane coming closest from a free-kick that was saved by Basil.

Second-half blitz seals commanding victory

The breakthrough for a second goal arrived in the 56th minute when Zidane Iqbal lost possession near his own box. Lamine Camara capitalised on the mistake and set up Sarr, who finished from close range.

Three minutes later, substitute Pape Gueye made an immediate impact, curling a superb left-footed effort into the top corner with his first touch of the match.

Gueye completed his brace in the 71st minute with another long-range strike, effectively ending the contest. Fellow substitute Iliman Ndiaye then added a fifth goal to cap a memorable night for Senegal.

The comprehensive victory significantly boosted Senegal's hopes of progressing to the knockout phase, with their superior goal difference potentially proving decisive in the battle for qualification.

(With inputs from ANI)