Senegal become first African nation to win a match at Russia 2018

Lions of Teranga join Japan at top of Group H

Senegal got Africa’s first win of the World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Poland in Moscow on Tuesday.

An own goal off the leg of Poland defender Thiago Cionek gave Senegal a 1-0 lead in the first half. M’Baye Niang intercepted a botched Poland pass and was able to impose his power and speed and pounce on the poor backpass by Poland midfielder Krychowiak and round Szczesny before tapping in to give Senegal the 2-0 lead.

Poland scored a late goal to cut Senegal’s advantage to 2-1.

Senegal’s victory added to the drama in what is suddenly a tumultuous Group H. Senegal and Japan both have wins now, while Colombia and Poland, which surely thought they’d fight one another for first place, and both looking up. They will meet on Sunday in Kazan in what is now an incredibly important game for both of them. But the results in Group H also have consequences for Group G, which will face the survivors in the round of 16.