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1 hour ago
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Key events
65 min: Jakobs down the right loses his man and is picked out. He then swivels and crosses the bouncing ball first time. It’s put in a pretty handy area but he can’t find a mate. Iraq are starting to look a little ragged. I think Senegal have more than enough, but a few more could make things absolutely safe.
62 min: Almost another. P Gueye is left unmarked on the edge of the area and scuffs a side-footer with his left which takes the ball away from goal. But it takes a deflection so Senegal get a corner. They’ll get another one. And another one. The fourth is taken short and is arrowed towards the far corner where four players in white leap for it but none of them can get a head on it.
60 min: He was on the field for 89 seconds and produced the best moment of the game. Take a bow Gueye.
GOAL! Senegal 3-0 Iraq (P Gueye, 59)
STUNNER! My word, what a hit! Was that his first touch since coming on. From the right of the box, he collects with his right foot, shifts it infield to make space for his swinging left boot, and then hammers it into the far top corner across the keeper. What a goal.
58 min: I feel for Iqbal. He’s been so good this afternoon but he dallied and he dillied and was punished. First his hacked clearance was blocked and then he was tackled…
GOAL! Senegal 2-0 Iraq (Sarr, 57)
There it is! But it’s a gift. Once again Iraq are their own worst enemies as Iqbal looses possession right outside his own box and has his pocked picked by Camara, who nearly made a mess of it, but was able to get the ball square for the diving Sarr to poke home.
55 min: This has been a much better half. Both teams showing a bit more vim.
54 min: Sarr shoots on target and forces a good low save from Hassan. That came from a galloping run from deep from Diarra who collected a loose ball inside his own half and set off. The pass to his right was well weighted but perhaps narrowed the angle a touch too much for Sarr. He got it on target but it was within reach of the keeper. They’re getting closer.
53 min: A rare shot on target for Iraq as Jasim drops a shoulder, shifts the ball onto his right foot from the left wing and fires straight at Diaw.
53 min: Senegal knocking on the door now. Mbaye gets to the byline on the right and dinks a cross towards the penalty spot. Diarra leaps but can’t keep his header down. Better from Senegal.
52 min: A great ball in from the right almost picks out Mane on a blind run at the back post. He’s all set to cushion a volley with the side foot but he can’t steer it on target. Perhaps he was was put off by the presenve of Hashim, but you feel Mane should have done better there from so close.
50 min: Mbaye has clear space in front of him and drives off the right wing. He’s one on one with Hashim who goes to ground but makes a great tackle inside his own box.
49 min: Mane is very, very wide. He’s hugging the left touch. Maybe that’s a plan to stretch things. The ball is on the opposite flank but the ball is tame and cleared.
47 min: Much of the same in these opening few minutes of the second. Senegal a little ponderous in possession.
Second half
Basil’s World Cup looks to be over.
Iraq are still mathematically in with a shout of the next round, but realistically, they’re out. That means that Basil’s race is run. The keeper couldn’t recover from his knocks and is replaced by Hassan.
Luca Humanhas dropped by.
And apart from having an epic name, they’re also a fellow Saffa! So of course I’m going to reply.
Hi Daniel,
As the subject line suggests, I’m a fellow Saffa (that backs our fellow Africans), and I appreciate your continous coverage. Two questions:
1) How likely are Senegal to find a second gear?
2) Do we have any chance against Canada?
1) They need to be more direct. They’ve found joy when they’ve got their wide players driving infield on the angle, attracting the attention of centre-back and full-back. Also Mane needs to see more of the ball.
2) Absolutely! I think of all the teams South Africa could have got, they’ve got the ones they’d have wanted. Though to be fair, I’m sure Canada feel the same way.
Here’s some half-time reading for ya’ll:
‘Masonsato’ – I’m assuming that’s not their real name – has backed the right horse.
“We spoke about it and then decided. My wife and I will be watching this because it means quite a lot rather than the “exhibition match” on the other channel. Good to hear the respect to Venezuela. A reminder that there are more important things than football. Strap up and enjoy the game.”
Although that exhibition game certainly looks more appealing if its goals you’re after.
This one, the one that has actual jeopardy, needs a little more oomph. I genuinely wouldn’t be surprised if Iraq hold on before nicking a sweaty equaliser.
Half-time: Senegal 1-0 Iraq
The half fizzles out.
Mbaye and then Mane drive off their respective wings, but they can’t fashion a proper chance.
Well done Iraq. But that is not good enough from Senegal. They really need an extra gear in the second half.
Back in a few after a quick bite.
45+7 min: Doski has won his personal battle with Mbaye down Senegal’s right. The winger tries to go past his man, but the Iraqi right back makes a great challenge. I’ll repeat myself, Senegal need to show more here. Although they do say that playing against 10 men can often be a challenge.
45+5 min: Diaw comes off his line and launches a long throw that almost sparks a counter. But Mbaye can’t bring it under control before it’s swept away by the covering Iraq defence.
Seck is back in the action as he’s a target from a Senegal corner. He can’t repeat the trick this time as Hashim heads away. The returning shot from deep is launched into orbit.
45+3 min: A lovely ball from the right from Al Ammari compels Seck to prod his head at the ball that was destined for an awkward area. It bounces away for an Iraqi corner.
45+1 min: So close from Mane! From the right, he cuts infield and drives inside the box, brushing off a challenge and firing a rocket of a shot. It was always rising though and flies wide and high of the top corner.
45 min: My goodness. There’ll be nine added minutes. I guess that makes sense given the long VAR delay for the red card. Senegal on the ball with a chance to double their lead before the break.
43 min: Basil is down again as he landed on his back from a height after claiming a lofted ball into his box. Diarra was there causing chaos inside the area and the Iraqi keeper landed hard. He’s receiving medical attention again. Hassan is warming up. Basil is getting some of that magic spray. He actually landed on top of his mate, Hashim. He’ll carry on. Let it be known that bald men are made of tougher stuff!
41 min: Oooh, Diaw almost makes a proper mess of a back pass. His heavy touch allows Al Hamadi to close the space in a flash and an ugly hack from the Senegal keeper just about gets it away. Iraq win a corner but can’t do anything with it. Fair play to Iraq. They’ve not faded after the red card. They’re competing. Another lucky bounce or a mistake from Senegal could see them back in the game.
40 min: The ball breaks for Mane who feeds Sarr. Sarr then shifts down a gear as he waits for Mane to run past him on the left. Sarr makes the pass and Mane inside the Iraqi box. He hesitates and the defence covers in time to block the shot/cross. Once again a glimmer from Senegal but it’s not enough.
38 min: Basil makes another smart claim as he comes off his line to claim a long throw from Jakobs. He’s had a good game, the Iraq keeper.
37 min: Sarr goes down just outside the box. He has a case as he appeals for a free kick, but nothing doing.
35 min: Diarra can’t quite get his feet in order but he wins a corner after the covering tackle takes the ball away from him inside the box. Corner from Camara is well placed but Basil comes out and gets a stiff punch on it.
34 min: That was better from Senegal. They’re starting to find some joy down the left with Jakobs showing some sparkle.
33 min: Jakobs fires from just inside the box and snatches at it with his left foot from the left corner of the area. He drags it just wide of the far post. But that wasn’t far off.
Apparently we’re big in Norway!
“I’m streaming this match from NRK in Norway, and the stream just went down. I’m a bit surprised so many Norwegians are watching this match on a Friday night,” says Bob O’Hara.
Unless he’s messaged the wrong blog, that is remarkable. Or perhaps it’s because France are now 3-1 up.
30 min: Despite the score, Iraq have settled in a low block. I guess that makes sense given they’re a man down. Senegal not able to crack the wall just yet. But they’re very passive.
29 min: Mane can’t link up with Jakobs down the left. I’d like to see a bit more continuity from Senegal.
27 min: They’re back. Senegal need one more goal to all but secure their place as one of the best third-placed teams. They’re on the ball again with Mbaye down the right but Iraq swarm and win it back before clearing.
