STORY: Senegal supporters celebrated across Dakar on Friday (June 26) after the Lions of Teranga defeated Iraq 5-0, the biggest victory by an African team at the World Cup, keeping alive hopes of reaching the knockout stage.

The emphatic win came after defeats to France and Norway left Senegal needing a convincing result in their final Group I match. The victory lifted the West African side to third place behind France and Norway, leaving them to wait for the remaining group-stage matches to determine whether they qualify as one of the tournament's eight best third-placed teams.

"The players were magnificent," supporter Abdou Niang said.

Ousmane Sow, a member of supporters' group 12ème Gaïndé, said Senegal "can't just leave the World Cup without qualifying" and predicted the team would "surprise all the teams" if it progressed.

The five-goal victory restored confidence among supporters, many of whom praised the players and coaching staff for responding after the opening defeats. Senegal must now await the outcome of the remaining group-stage matches to discover whether its World Cup campaign will continue in the Round of 32.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: DAKAR, SENEGAL (JUNE 26, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF SENEGAL FANS JUMPING AND SCREAMING CELEBRATING THEIR WIN

2. SENEGAL FAN OUSMANE MANE CELEBRATING

3.(SOUNDBITE) (French) SENEGAL FAN, OUSMANE MANE, SAYING:

"I say thank you to God, thank you God, that's what high-level competitions are all about. From the beginning, I believed Senegal would reach the final, barring any unforeseen circumstances. So, we've made it through the first round and we'll go to the quarterfinals, even the round of 16, and we'll play each match as if it were a final. So, Senegal, we're going to play in the final."

4. SENEGALESE FAN WATCHING THE GAME

5. VARIOUS OF SENEGALESE FANS FLYING FLAGS AND CELEBRATING

6.(SOUNDBITE) (French) SENEGAL FAN, ABDOU NIANG, SAYING:

"The players were magnificent, they did what they had to do, and as for the rest, I hope we qualify for the round of 16 and go far, God willing."

7. PEOPLE DANCING

8. SENEGALESE FAN CLAPPING

9. PEOPLE WATCH THE GAME CLAP

10. PEOPLE CELEBRATING / DANCING

11. (SOUNDBITE) (French) MEMBER OF 12EME GAINDE, OUSMANE SOW, SAYING:

"We are satisfied, but it was necessary because a team like Senegal, the African champions with two stars, can't just leave the World Cup without qualifying. So we are proud and we are preparing for the upcoming challenges; we will surprise all the teams, God willing."

12. FANS CELEBRATING / DANCING

13. PEOPLE DANCING

14. (SOUNDBITE) (French) SENEGAL FAN, BADA NDAW,, SAYING:

"It's a source of pride, we're very happy with our national team. Okay, we had some issues in both matches against France and Norway, but fortunately the coach was aware of the situation, as was his staff, and even the Senegalese players who talked a lot and provided strategies to beat this team. And we succeeded, we beat this Iraqi team 5-0, it's a source of pride."

16. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE DANCING