FT · World: World Cup · Friday, 26 June 2026

Senegal 50 IraqMatch recap & Bawler model verdict · Friday, 26 June 2026

Senegal
50
Senegal win
Iraq
> Model verdict
✓ Model called it

Pre-match, Bawler had Senegal at 60%, draw at 25%, Iraq at 15%. The match ended 5-0 — confirming the model's lean toward Senegal.

> Pre-match probability vs result
Senegal win
60%
Actual ✓
Draw
25%
Iraq win
15%
> Expected vs actual goals
Model expected (xG)
2.060.95
Total 3.01
Actual
50
Total 5 (+2.0 vs xG)

Match overperformed xG by 2.0 goals. Above-expectation scoring — could be finishing, set-piece luck, or genuine attacking quality the model under-rated.

> Bawler's picks · how they landed
Banker
Over 2.5 Goals
Pre-match: 81%
✓ Won
Dark Horse
Over 3.5 Goals
Pre-match: 30%
✓ Won
> What we said pre-match
"Over 2.5 Goals sits at 81% probability because Senegal's 2.11 xG dwarfs Iraq's 0.95, creating a 1.16-goal gap that translates to heavy attacking output."

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