Senegal blank Iraq 5-0 to boost hopes of reaching KO round

TORONTO (AP):

Senegal racked up the goals on 10-man Iraq in a 5-0 victory yesterday that boosted their hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout stages.

Pape Gueye scored two second-half goals as the Senegalese — vying to advance from third place in Group I — took advantage of a first-half red card on Iraq defender Rebin Sulaka for preventing Sadio Mane from going in on goal alone.

Habib Diarra scored in the fourth minute, and even though Sulaka was sent off in the 13th, Senegal didn’t find the net again until Ismaila Sarr’s goal in the 56th minute.

Gueye then added his two goals, and fellow substitute Iliman Ndiaye netted Senegal’s fifth.

Senegal now have three points and a plus-two goal differential.

The eight best third-place teams advance to the Round of 32, with ties broken by goals scored and goal differential if necessary.

Iraq were eliminated without a point in their first World Cup appearance since 1986.