Habib Diarra was part of a Senegal start built around Abdoulaye Seck’s header in the 2e minute, and the early goal against Irak came straight from Lamine Camara’s first corner. Senegal also had the match tilted further their way when the Iraqi defender was sent off after VAR review.
Abdoulaye Seck and Lamine Camara
Seck finished Senegal’s first corner of the match in the 2e minute. Camara delivered it, and the header gave Senegal the opening goal before Irak had settled into the game.
The sequence started after the Iraqis took the kickoff and a minute of silence was observed in memory of the victims of the earthquake in Venezuela. Then Senegal turned its first set piece into a lead almost immediately.
Anthony Taylor and VAR
The match moved again after Sadio Mané was stopped irregularly while running alone toward goal after a quick transition. Anthony Taylor went to the video review, and the VAR ruled that the Iraqi defender had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.
The red card changed the balance early. Senegal were already in front, and Irak were then down to 10 before the match had reached the 16e minute.
Senegal and Irak pressure
Senegal kept pushing after the dismissal. Sadio Mané later bent a free kick over the Iraqi wall and forced a save from the goalkeeper, while Ismaïla Sarr sent a shot in the 17e minute that did not trouble the Iraqi goal.
There was still friction inside the Senegal shape, too. Abdoulaye Seck was booked in the 18e minute for a holding foul on Ali Al-Hamadi, a reminder that the game had not settled even with Senegal in control of the score and Irak carrying the red card.
The live feed from Coupe du monde 2026 captures the match’s earliest turning point, but it does not carry the final score. What it does show is enough: Senegal had the lead, Irak were reduced to 10, and the rest of the contest had to be played from that position.
