2026 World Cup: Senegal pound Iran 5-0; hopeful of knockout round qualification
The Teranga Lions of Senegal on Friday spanked Iran 5-0 in the final 2026 World Cup Group I match at the BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, to secure hopes of qualifying for the round of 32.
Habib Diarra put the African champions ahead in the first half, and held on to the league into the second half when Pape Gueye hatrick, and a goal each by Ismaïla Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye completed the rout.
In the group’s other final game at the Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, United States of America, France who already advanced to the round of 32, had a resounding 4-1 victory over Norway, who already qualified for the knockout round after both teams won their first two group matches.
Ousmane Dembélé scored a first half hatrick and Désiré Doué made it four for France in the second half, while Thelo Aasgaard scored Norway’s solitary goal in the first half.
With the results, Senegal finish third in the group after earlier losses to Norway and France, while Iran finished bottom after losing their three matches. Meanwhile, France topped the group with the maximum nine points while Norway finished second with six points.
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