Senegal surprised star -studded Poland on Tuesday evening in a match heavily dominated by M'Baye Niang and Kalidou Koulibaly. The Controversial win is the first by an African Nation in Russia 2018.
Senegal took the first three points off Poland as Africa celebrated the very first win in the ongoing 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia after a week of waiting. Six days into the tourney, the Lions of Teranga took no chances in a match that was no classic but certainly one that carried the emotions of everyone on the continent.
The 2-1 win over Poland now places group H in an interesting state, after Japan had surprised 10-man Colombia. This was the first time an Asian team won against a South American counterpart. Same margin 2-1.
It was a night that all Africa was waiting for. Whatever happened at the Spartak stadium would be everything that Senegal and Africa could hope for, if for a moment they dreamt of proceeding past the round robin stages. It turned eventually to be an exhilarating night.
At the 60th minute, Senegal was up 2-0 against the eighth-ranked, Lewandowski and other star-studded Poland. They held on, throughout the match, jealously defending their scoreline, soaking and absorbing all the heat and pressure that the Polish players released in retaliation. At the end of the day, their endurance bore fruit, placing them on top of group H alongside Japan.
The first Senegalese goal came off Polish Thiago Cionek in the 37th minute after an Idrissa Gana's shot to deflect into the net. A controversial second goal was then scored by M'Baye Niang in the 60th minute. The Senegal international was waved back on by the official after coming behind the unsuspecting defense line from off the field to send the ball into the net.
Grzegorz Krychowiak gave Poland their only goal in the 86th minute as Senegal bowed to excessive pressure, but it was a match gone the Africa way as the game hit the mark.
Poland created very little chances in this game. Lewandowski sparked a little, but his efforts and the team were heavily canceled by the central midfield maestro in Kalidou Koulibaly and Salif Sane
This is a reminder of the 2002 heroics where Senegal upset the then defending champions France 1-0 in their opening match.
Africas hopes had been snuffed, after losing the first four games out of four, but this will come as good news. Next up is Senegal vs Japan on Sunday, winners of which could book a ticket against either Belgium or England (presumably) in the last 16.
On the same night, Mo Salahs Egypt hope of a final 16 slot were left hanging on a loose end as the pharaohs trailed the hosts Russia 3-1 at the mark. Goals from Ahmed Fathy (47" OG), Denis Cheryshev (59") and Arlem Dzyuba (62") ensured that Egypt failed to win a match at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Mo Salah pulled one from the spot to end the match 3-1 in favor of Russia.