Senegal recorded a 2-1 win over Poland in Tuesday’s World Cup clash in Moscow to join Japan at the top of Group H.
An own goal from Thiago Cionek and a second-half tap in from M’Baye Niang gave Senegal a two-goal lead and although Grzegorz Krychowiak halved the deficit late on, Aliou Cisse’s team were full value for the three points.
It took until the 18th minute for Senegal to create the first real opening of the match with M’Baye Niang being played through on goal, but the striker dragged a left-footed shot well wide of the far post.
Sadio Mane teed up Idrissa Gueye on the edge of the box and the Everton midfielder’s 25-yard strike took a huge deflection off Thiago Cionek before finding its way into the opposite corner of Wojciech Szczesny’s net.
Poland improved after the restart with Robert Lewandowski seeing a 25-yard free kick punched clear by Khadim N’Diaye, but Senegal were not prepared to sit back with Mane becoming increasing involved in the final third.
Their approach paid off just after the hour mark but Poland contributed to their own downfall as Grzegorz Krychowiak’s back-pass from the halfway line was short, leading to confusion between Jan Bednarek and Szczesny who failed to make connection with the ball.
Niang had just returned to the pitch after consulting tactics with the coaching staff but the forward capitalised by getting between the two Poland players, flicking the ball towards goal and tapping into the net from close range.
Dawid Kownacki also sent a header too close to N’Diaye as the match edged closer to full time but with four minutes left, Poland finally got themselves back into the contest through Krychowiak, who powered a header into the far corner after meeting a deep set piece.
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