Senegal bounced back spectacularly with a 5-0 thrashing of Iraq at Toronto Stadium on Wednesday. The victory kept their World Cup qualification hopes burning bright.
Three points lifted the Lions of Teranga into third place in Group I. Their goal difference improved dramatically after consecutive losses to France and Norway.
The win pushed them into contention among the best third-placed teams. Scotland dropped out of the top eight as a result.
But Senegal's path to the Round of 32 remains uncertain. Coach Pape Thiaw's squad will need favourable results elsewhere to secure advancement.
Iraq's night turned disastrous just four minutes in. Abdoulaye Seck's corner-kick header deflected off Habib Diarra and fooled goalkeeper Ahmed Basil.
Things got worse for the visitors in the 13th minute. Defender Rebin Sulaka received a red card after VAR reviewed his challenge on Sadio Mane.
Mane tested Basil from the free-kick but couldn't find the back of the net. Senegal had to wait until after halftime to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
In the 56th minute, Lamine Camara punished a mistake by former Manchester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal. Camara quickly squared to Ismaila Sarr, who tapped in easily.
Substitute Pape Gueye arrived and made an immediate impression. His curled left-footed strike flew into the top corner just three minutes later.
Gueye wasn't finished there. In the 71st minute, he added his second with another clinical finish.
Fellow substitute Iliman Ndiaye capped off the rout with the fifth goal. His strike completed one of Senegal's finest performances of the tournament.
Now Senegal waits anxiously for other results. Their dominant victory and superior goal difference might just be enough to see them through.
