Michael Kenrick 26/06/2026 26comments  |  Jump to last

After making a nice setup for a fantastic strike from Papa Gueye, substitute Iliman Ndiaye scored an absolute belter for Senegal's fifth goal against Iraq at the World Cup in Toronto.

Collecting the ball deep, just inside the Iraq half, he dribbled forward in very familiar style before blasting a fantastic shot that arrowed just inside the post and into the back of the net to make it Senegal 5 -0 Iraq -- a result that incidentally sends Scotland home as they are leapfrogged in the Third-Place Table. 

Iraq had shot themselves in the foot as early as the 13th minute when Rebin Sulaka dragged back Sarr and was eventually adjudged to have been the last man denying a goalscoring opportunity -- the 6th such red card shown at the 2026 World Cup.

Senegal were already ahead after 4 minutes but it stayed that way until the break while Iliman Ndiaye had been a spectator until just before the hour mark, when Senegal had finally started to make the most of their numerical advantage. 

And Idrissa Gana Gueye had another great full game for Senegal. 

 

Reader Comments (26)

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Mike Gaynes
1 Posted 26/06/2026 at 22:07:43
We are now soliciting estimates of how much his price tag has increased today.
Michael Kenrick
2 Posted 26/06/2026 at 22:26:16
Strange... no sign of tiredness anymore.

It's enough to make you wonder if it's more about how he is being coached???
Kevin Molloy
3 Posted 26/06/2026 at 22:30:02
He's been coached the same way for the last 2 years, Michael.

I'm more inclined to think it's more about who was in his ear during the last set of internationals.
Edward Rogers
4 Posted 26/06/2026 at 22:30:03
Can't believe he doesn't start games, maybe saving him for the later rounds?
Michael Kenrick
5 Posted 26/06/2026 at 22:36:14
Kevin,

He's been coached the same way for the last 2 years.

Not sure that's even remotely true. Kevin. Dino Dyche for the first 6 months, before Dino Dave got at him.

Meanwhile, occasional spells with the Senegal national team, where he is now, arguably producing more end product. Two assists and an absolute belter of a goal.
Si Cooper
6 Posted 26/06/2026 at 22:42:32
MK (2) - or the way he is being used?

He’s not been playing every minute of every game and he’s also only one of a number of very creative players.
Tom Bowers
7 Posted 26/06/2026 at 22:43:45
A great goal from a great player (on his day). Sadly we didn't see enough of that towards the season's end but the whole team seemed to be in a malaise.

Here's hoping there is a turnaround to the new season.
John Collins
8 Posted 26/06/2026 at 23:09:57
Sell him.
Sell Branthwaite.
Sell Garner

It's good business from what I've read today on here.
Mike Gaynes
9 Posted 26/06/2026 at 00:21:49
Michael #2, he completely sat out the first 2 1/2 games of the tournament, and subbed on against defenders who had already played 240+ minutes -- some of them while a man down.

So yeah, that would be a big help with the fatigue issue.
Bob Parrington
10 Posted 26/06/2026 at 01:04:35
Surely has to be stoic Moyes tactical crap. Or, is it showing a need to bring in some "more inventive' players?
Adrian Phillips
11 Posted 27/06/2026 at 01:08:17
I don't think that a goal in a 5-goal win over a 10-man Iraq is going to do much to his price tag.

He still is not in the starting eleven, after some uneven recent performances for Senegal and Everton. But good on him. It's a goal he will remember.
Derek Thomas
12 Posted 27/06/2026 at 01:49:00
Adrian@ 11; maybe not, but according to the BBC England play Senegal next* and that will put him right in the shop window - if selected...and he repeats the form we know he can produce.

*subject to other results??
Laurie Hartley
13 Posted 27/06/2026 at 01:57:04
Perhaps the reason Ndiaye isn’t starting is because the Senegal manager prefers Mane in Ndiaye’s best position on the left wing?
Mike Dolan
14 Posted 27/06/2026 at 02:09:13
Could it be that Illy's drop off in form had more to do with the absence of Grealish, Branthwaite and Gana rather than bad coaching from Moyes.

It seemed to me that Illy had an extra man marking him as we limped home without the fluidity that the injured players would have given us.

It is very easy to take potshots at the manager but I think in reality Everton's squad of players were just not strong enough to give any manager truly viable options in a lot of 50/50 games.

I think since Dyche left we have improved exponentially under David Moyes and I say that acknowledging that Everton's final position in the table is not this time a true reflection of where we actually are as a club in this league.
Annika Herbert
15 Posted 27/06/2026 at 03:36:54
Mike @ 14, after a spend of £115M, or more, we damn well should have improved. Exponentially, or not.
Phillip Warrington
16 Posted 27/06/2026 at 04:50:21
I don't know what you guys are hearing over there but the news in Australia is he has been sold for £60M.

This will be confirmed after the World Cup -- and that was before he played his first game in the World Cup.
Michael Kenrick
17 Posted 27/06/2026 at 08:19:02
Mike @14,

I simply can't believe what I'm reading:

Everton's final position in the table is not this time a true reflection of where we actually are as a club in this league.

Wot??? Surely you are aware of the 1st, 8th and 24th Rule in football...

The Table Never Ever Lies
Derek Thomas
18 Posted 27/06/2026 at 08:37:52
Mike @ 14; "we have improved exponentially" I'd like to see your working out justifying that Bold, nay Courageous, statement.
John Collins
19 Posted 27/06/2026 at 09:07:43
"I think since Dyche left we have improved exponentially under David Moyes and I say that acknowledging that Everton's final position in the table is not this time a true reflection of where we actually are as a club in this league."

I agree, we should have finished lower in the table.
Mick O\\\'Malley
20 Posted 27/06/2026 at 10:04:24
I still see the same dreary unimaginative soulless joy-sucking shite I've watched for the last few years.
Dave Abrahams
21 Posted 27/06/2026 at 10:21:31
Mike (9)

Those opponents had played the 240 minutes in a week -- not in one game -- and Ndiaye hadn't played in any games for over a month.

He is capable of scoring goals like that, as we have seen during his time at Everton, and that is why a few clubs are very interested in signing him.
Josh Horne
22 Posted 27/06/2026 at 10:36:02
Phillip @16, about as believable as us having signed a right-back already.

Or, indeed, by the start of the season.
Jack Convery
23 Posted 27/06/2026 at 10:53:04
Papa Gueye is on our radar, according to TransferMarkt.

Hopefully it's true, though I doubt it.
Michael Kenrick
24 Posted 27/06/2026 at 14:05:31
Phillip @16,

He has been sold for £60M. This will be confirmed after the World Cup.

I'd hold on tight to that if I were you, Phillip. After all, they know things down under. Could be vital for your street cred a few weeks down the road...

For me... it might be right, or it might be shite. I know which way I'm leaning...
John Collins
26 Posted 27/06/2026 at 18:02:22
Moyes out 😄
Chris James
28 Posted 30/06/2026 at 02:26:30
Had the pleasure of seeing this first hand in Toronto.
He also got a great assist and could've had more, was a real live wire that totally got Senegal going in second half. Hopefully Philip is wrong and he can continue this into the 26/27 season!

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