This would come as a welcomed relieve to the African continent as Senegal deservedly defeated Poland in a game of few chances to claim the first win by an African team at the World Cup – although there was a hint of controversy about their second goal.

M’Baye Niang controversially sprinted back on to the field of play after injury and immediately intercepted a backpass from midfield, beating former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and Southampton defender Jan Bednarek to the ball which caused a lot of outrage from the polish supporters and players alike.

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The Lions of Teranga had taken the lead shortly before the break when a shot from Everton’s Idrissa Gueye took a huge deflection off the unfortunate Thiago Cionek.

Poland created little, with striker Robert Lewandowski feeding on little opportuiws creates for him and heavily marked by Senegal’s huge impressive central defensive pairing of Salif Sane and Kalidou Koulibaly.

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But they ensured a frantic finale when Grzegorz Krychowiak headed home a free-kick at the far post.

The result came hours after Japan had defeated 10-man Colombia in Group H’s opening game – and one of the qualifiers could go on to play England in the last 16.

Source: BBC

Photo Source: ChinaDaily.com

Senegal becomes first African team to pick up a win at the 2018 World Cup

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