Senegal coach says team can improve after 5-0 mauling of Iraq

Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw said he still saw room for improvement after his team ​thrashed a hapless Iraq 5-0 on Friday to keep their ‌hopes of advancing to the World Cup knockout stage alive.

Senegal were at their dominant best in Toronto Stadium as they swatted aside 10-man Iraq ​with style to secure the biggest victory by an ​African side at the World Cup finals.

Thiaw congratulated his ⁠team for getting the job done but struck a ​measured tone on their performance

"Even though we scored five goals, there ​are still improvements to be made," he told reporters.

The West Africans now face an anxious wait to see if they qualify for the round ​of 32 as one of the eight best third-placed ​teams. They will know their fate after the end of group stage games.

"Now ‌we ⁠have to wait. We have three points secured. There are other matches, so we hope Senegal can qualify," he said.

Senegal are placed third in Group I behind France and Norway.

The ​coach reserved special ​praise for ⁠midfielder Pape Gueye's hunger and winger Sadio Mane's impact on the team. The former found the ​back of the net twice.

"He has this ​team spirit... ⁠he does great things on the pitch, he is very helpful defence-wise," Thiaw said of Mane.

Thiaw said he now had peace ⁠of ​mind after the win.

"This country behind ​us brings a lot, and we give our all to make them happy," ​he said.