Senegal forward Ismaïla Sarr said his side delivered the performance they needed after a commanding 5-0 victory over Iraq in their final Group I match kept their hopes of progressing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive.
Sarr scored Senegal’s second goal of the evening in an emphatic win that ensured the team finished the group stage with an important victory. The Crystal Palace winger said the result was vital and praised his team-mates for producing a convincing display in a match they could not afford to lose.
“It was a match we had to win. We won, we scored. We wanted to score more goals, because you never know. But congratulations to the team. We did an excellent job today,” said the Senegalese player.
The victory represented a significant boost for Senegal as they continue to pursue qualification from Group I, with Sarr highlighting both the importance of the result and the team’s collective effort throughout the contest.
The winger also reached an individual milestone during the match by scoring his third goal of the 2026 World Cup. After the final whistle, he expressed his delight at contributing to the team’s success while insisting the achievement belonged to the entire squad.
“I’m very happy to have scored for my team. I’m also happy for the others. We’re here for the national team.
“We do this for the national team and for our families. So, congratulations to the whole team,” he added.
Sarr’s strike carried added significance beyond the result. It took his overall tally at FIFA World Cup tournaments to four goals, making him Senegal’s all-time leading scorer in the competition.
The landmark underlines the forward’s growing contribution on football’s biggest stage, with his latest goal arriving at a crucial moment in Senegal’s campaign.
The comprehensive victory over Iraq saw Senegal score five times in their final group fixture, with Sarr playing a key role by adding the second goal as the African side secured a result that preserved their hopes of advancing.
Although the individual record marks a notable personal achievement for the Crystal Palace player, Sarr’s post-match comments focused largely on the team’s performance and the importance of working together in pursuit of success.
He stressed that the players’ efforts were driven by their commitment to representing their country, while also acknowledging the support of their families.
Senegal’s dominant display against Iraq provided the response they needed in the final Group I encounter, and Sarr’s contribution ensured he left the match with both a decisive victory and a place in his nation’s World Cup history.
With qualification hopes still alive following the 5-0 triumph, Senegal can also take confidence from a performance that combined attacking efficiency with a collective display that Sarr believes deserved recognition from the entire squad.
