Pape Gueye scored two sensational second-half goals from long range, giving Senegal a thumping 5-0 win over Iraq and a much-needed goal difference boost in their bid to qualify for the round of 32 at the World Cup.

Iraq were hapless and down to 10 men in their final Group I match at Toronto Stadium on Friday. Ismaila Sarr added his third goal of the tournament, the first of four after half-time for the Lions of Teranga, who sealed a third-place group finish with three points and a goal difference of plus-two.

They currently hold the fifth-best record of third-place sides, but four of the teams beneath them have yet to play their final group matches. Habib Diarra opened the scoring in the fourth minute while it was still 11 vs 11, and Iliman Ndiaye wrapped it up with his own long-range effort in the 82nd minute.

Iraq, who lost all three group-stage matches, were eliminated from their second World Cup and first since 1986. The prospect of their first World Cup points grew remote when referee Anthony Taylor dismissed defender Rebin Sulaka for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity in the 13th minute.

Taylor initially brandished only a yellow card after Sadio Mane dribbled past Sulaka, who hauled him back with an outstretched arm. But Taylor was summoned to consult a replay monitor, and after viewing the play again, upgraded the decision.

Senegal couldn’t capitalise during a frustrating remainder of the first half, but that all changed after the interval. Lamine Camara set up Sarr’s 56th-minute tally to begin the second-half onslaught, and Gueye entered immediately after to score twice, including a curling left-footed strike and a thunderous half-volley.

Source: www.aljazeera.com