CORNERFLICK
Iraq and Senegal face each other at BMO Field in Toronto on Friday night with both teams on the brink of elimination from the World Cup group stage. Kick-off is at 22:00 local time.
Each side has lost its first two matches, so only a victory will keep hopes of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams alive. A draw or defeat would send either team out.
Senegal arrived with a star-studded squad but have not produced the expected level. Defeats to France, 3-1, and Norway, 3-2, have exposed defensive problems and individual errors, with the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Édouard Mendy also felt.
Head coach Pape Thiaw has promised changes to Senegal's defensive and midfield structure. Even so, the team still carries a threat going forward through Sadio Mané, Ismaïla Sarr, Nicolas Jackson and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Iraq have also struggled against higher-level opposition, losing 4-1 to Norway and 3-0 to France. The younger side will look to its usual organisation, work rate and quick counters, with Zidane Iqbal and Ala Abbas among the players who could offer an outlet.
Senegal are the more experienced side on paper, but Iraq have shown they can be awkward opponents when matches become tight. The pressure on both teams should shape a cautious start before the game opens up later on.