Graham Arnold insisted Iraq ought to look again on their World Cup marketing campaign with delight regardless of dropping all their video games.
Iraq suffered a crushing 5-0 defeat to Senegal at Toronto Stadium and ended the match with out gaining any factors.
Senegal took benefit of Levin Suraka’s early pink card to turn out to be the primary African staff to attain 5 objectives in a World Cup match.
By the point Slaka noticed the pink within the thirteenth minute, Senegal had already taken the lead because of Habib Diarra’s aim.
Senegal had been unable to capitalize on their numerical superiority for the remainder of the primary half, however Ismaila Sarr’s 56th-minute aim opened the floodgates, Pape Gueye scored twice, and fellow substitute Iliman Ndiaye then sealed the rout with a sensational end.
Iraq turned the second staff to concede a aim after receiving a pink card within the first quarter-hour of a World Cup match, and misplaced all six video games within the ultimate, tied for probably the most by any nation with a 100% dropping charge within the match.
However Arnold stated: “Everybody in Iraq needs to be happy with the truth that we got here right here and carried out very effectively in two of the three video games.”
“The truth is that your nationwide staff is barely as robust as your native league. In case your native league will not be that robust, you may be punished should you play towards these kinds of opponents.
Senegal 5-0 Iraq
Senegal knew they wanted a giant win and beat Iraq 5-0 to maneuver nearer to the final 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. pic.twitter.com/ntLxQmIBRC
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 26, 2026
“They’ve solely seen this sort of participant play on TV. They’ve by no means performed towards gamers at this degree earlier than. Every little thing was a shock to them.”
“My job after I first began was to get them to the World Cup and a miracle occurred.
“It was a enjoyable journey, a enjoyable World Cup, even when the outcome wasn’t that nice. However hopefully the gamers can stroll away from this example and benefit from the expertise of taking part in within the World Cup for the primary time in 40 years, but in addition study from their errors.”
Senegal recorded the largest victory ever for an African nation on the World Cup and the largest victory in a significant match.
Nonetheless, coach Pape Thiau believes there may be room for enchancment.
“Regardless that we scored 5 objectives, there may be nonetheless room for enchancment,” he advised reporters.
Senegal might face England within the subsequent spherical, however they must wait till after Saturday’s match to make certain of their opponent.
