Iliman Ndiaye backs World Cup claim with first goal for Senegal

“I’m going there to win it” was not a throwaway line from Iliman Ndiaye. He followed it with his first World Cup goal in Senegal's 5-0 win over Iraq, a result that kept his tournament run alive and added some bite to a bold quote that already had people talking.

Ndiaye's quote and the first World Cup goal

Ndiaye was introduced on 57 minutes and finished the rout eight minutes from the end, scoring Senegal’s fifth goal. It was his first World Cup goal, and it came after a night when Senegal had already done the hard work through Habib Diarra, Ismaïla Sarr, Pape Gueye and Rebin Sulaka as the game swung decisively their way.

The quote from Ndiaye was unusually blunt. He said, “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.”

That sort of confidence can sound like empty bravado if the football does not follow. Here, it did. Across two World Cup appearances, Ndiaye now has 1 goal and 2 goal involvements, which is exactly the kind of output that makes a hard line sound less extravagant.

Senegal's route and the Everton angle

Senegal's 5-0 win over Iraq in Toronto moved them into the last 32. The margin was comfortable enough to let Ndiaye enter late and still have time to leave his mark.

There is also the club angle waiting in the background. Ndiaye's tournament now carries the possibility of a meeting with Everton team-mate Jordan Pickford, which gives the next round a neat bit of added edge without needing to dress it up as anything bigger than it is.

For now, the important part is simple enough. Ndiaye has backed his words with a goal, Senegal have advanced, and his World Cup has started to look like a genuine platform rather than a soundbite. When Senegal next take the field in the knockout stage, his form will be one of the more interesting things to watch.