Iraq\u2019s already slim hopes of keeping their hopes alive suffered a hammer blow a few minutes later.<\/p>\n
Defender Rebin Sulaka had been brought into the starting lineup by Iraq coach Graham Arnold but his contribution lasted just 13 minutes.<\/p>\n
English referee Anthony Taylor red-carded him after consulting the VAR screen for fouling Sadio Mane when the Senegal talisman was clear on goal.<\/p>\n
It was the earliest red card of the nine so far in the World Cup, the fourth fastest in the tournament\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
Iraq were unable to fashion a chance in the rest of the half and despite their one-man advantage Senegal could only muster one, Ismail Jacobs\u2019 fierce strike from outside the box just going wide with the keeper beaten.<\/p>\n
Senegal came out for the second half bristling with intent.<\/p>\n
Iraq had been further destabilised as they had to replace goalkeeper Ahmed Basil, who had taken a knock in the first half, with Jalal Hassan at the break.<\/p>\n
Hassan survived the early wave of attacks but was helpless when Senegal finally got into their stride.<\/p>\n
Ismaila Sarr tapped in in the 56th minute, for his third goal of the tournament, after a dreadful error by former Manchester United player Zidane Iqbal deep inside his own half gifted Senegal possession.<\/p>\n
The relief of the second goal had Sarr lying prone on his back pumping his fists with joy.<\/p>\n
Then came the Gueye show and it had the fans off their seats.<\/p>\n
Within 89 seconds of coming on as a substitute he let rip from outside the box with a sublime curling effort that gave Hassan no chance for 3-0 in the 59th minute.<\/p>\n
The Villarreal midfielder possibly outdid that effort with a vicious half volley 12 minutes later that flew past the keeper.<\/p>\n
Arnold was reduced to leaning on the dugout and ruefully shaking his head, and could only watch as Iliman Ndiaye scored with another screamer eight minutes from time.<\/p>\n
Go all in to unlock every Fifa World Cup 2026 match with a TVNZ+ Event Pass.<\/p>\n