Iliman Ndiaye scored his first World Cup goal as Senegal thrashed Iraq 5-0 in Toronto, keeping alive his bold prediction that Senegal would win the tournament. The Everton forward now finds himself on a potential collision course with club team-mate Jordan Pickford, as Senegal are set to face England in the last 32.
Senegal's Emphatic Victory
Senegal entered their final group game bottom of the third-placed teams table after consecutive defeats to France (3-1) and Norway (3-2). However, they secured their place in the knockout stage in dominant fashion. Idrissa Gueye, Ndiaye's Everton colleague, captained the side for the third time, extending his record caps total to 134.
Habib Diarra of Sunderland opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Iraq were reduced to ten men on 13 minutes when defender Rebin Sulaka was sent off for a foul on former Liverpool player Sadio Mane. Senegal took full advantage of the numerical superiority after the break.
Second-Half Onslaught
Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr doubled the lead in the 56th minute. Substitute Pape Gueye, whom Italian journalist Matteo Moretto claimed Everton are leading the race to sign, scored twice in the 59th and 71st minutes. Ndiaye, introduced for Paris Saint-Germain teenager Ibrahim Mbaye in the 57th minute, set up Pape Gueye's second goal.
Ndiaye completed the rout eight minutes from time with a mazy dribble and emphatic right-foot strike from outside the area, scoring his first World Cup goal.
Bold Prediction Kept Alive
In an interview with SPORTbible published on the day of Senegal's first game against France, Ndiaye stated: "In my opinion, we are going to win the World Cup. If I didn't think that, then what's the point of going? What's the point of packing your suitcase? I don't want to be a tourist. I'm going there to win it. If I thought differently, then I'd give my place in the team to someone else."
Potential Collision Course with Pickford
Senegal are now due to face England in a last-32 clash in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 1, at 5pm UK time. England are expected to secure top spot in Group L if they beat Panama. This sets up a potential meeting between Ndiaye and Everton team-mate Jordan Pickford, England's goalkeeper. The fourth Everton player at the World Cup, Nathan Patterson, is likely to exit with Scotland unless a freak set of results occurs.
