Hammers defender El Hadji Malick Diouf helped Senegal take a big step towards FIFA 2026 World Cup qualification by completing the full 90 minutes of a thumping 5-0 away win over South Sudan in CAF qualifying Group B.
Crystal Palace forward Ismaïla Sarr broke the deadlock for the Lions of Teranga just before the half-hour mark at the Juba Stadium, leaving the game finely poised at the break, but a dominant display in the second period delivered four goals, blowing the group’s bottom-placed side away.
First, former Southampton and Liverpool star Sadio Mané made it 2-0 within seconds of the restart, before Sarr notched his second of the day, Nicolas Jackson of Bayern Munich netted a penalty and Samsunspor’s Cherif Ndiaye put gloss on the scoreline with quarter-of-an-hour to go.
Diouf, who wore the No2 shirt on his ninth cap for his country, and his teammates are now set for a home clash against Mauritania on Tuesday night (14 October, 8pm BST), knowing a win would confirm their place at next year’s World Cup finals in North America.
With only the top-ranked side qualifying automatically from the group, Pape Thiaw’s men are two points clear of Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s second-place Democratic Republic of the Congo, who earned a crucial 1-0 win on the road against Togo.
The West Ham No29 made his third appearance for the Leopards, having won his first two caps in the September international window, and completed 84 minutes as Real Betis forward Cédric Bakambu’s early strike proved decisive.
The result keeps DR Congo’s hopes of automatic qualification alive ahead of their final group fixture at home to third-place Sudan, who drew 0-0 with Mauritania on Friday, at 8pm BST on Tuesday 14 October.
Both Senegal and DR Congo are assured of a top-two finish in Group B. Whoever finishes second will be ranked alongside the runners-up from the eight other groups, with the top four qualifying for a second round to determine the sole African representative to compete at the inter-confederation play-offs in Spring 2026.
Over in East Asia, Lucas Paquetá came on for the final 20 minutes of Brazil’s emphatic 5-0 friendly win over South Korea at a rainy Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Carlo Ancelotti’s five-time world champions had already hit the hosts for four by the time of Paquetá’s introduction, as a replacement for Chelsea youngster Estêvão, who had notched a brace.
Rodrygo also struck twice for Brazil, who have already secured qualification for the World Cup, while his Real Madrid teammate Vinícius Júnior etched his name on the scoresheet 13 minutes from the death.
Paquetá will be hoping to add to his record of 12 goals in 58 appearances for his country when they face Japan in Tokyo at 11.30am BST on Tuesday 14 October.
Why not celebrate the Hammers' wins by getting their names on the back of your 2025/26 replica shirts? Printing for Paquetá, Diouf and Wan-Bissaka - along with the entire squad - is available now by clicking here!
