Senegal made a flying start in their bid to keep their hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout rounds alive as Habib Diarra put them into an early lead against Iraq, who were then reduced to 10 men.
Both sides went into their Group I finale on the back of defeats to France and Norway, but Senegal quickly justified their favourites tag as they boosted their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds as one the eight best third-placed teams.
Abdoulaye Seck rose highest to meet an excellent Lamine Camara corner in the fourth minute, his effort finding the net via a deflection from Diarra.
And Iraq’s faint hopes of progression were effectively ended when Rebin Sulaka was shown a red card nine minutes later.
The Iraq defender was initially given a yellow card by Anthony Taylor for pulling back Sadio Mane as he attempted to go through on goal.
But, following a VAR review, Taylor reversed his decision and upgraded the punishment to a red, leaving Iraq with a mountain to climb.
Mane went close to compounding Iraq’s misery from the resulting free-kick, but Ahmed Basil produced a fine diving save to deny him.
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