Senegal caused the second major upset of the day in Group H by beating Poland 2-1 in Moscow’s Spartak Stadium.
Goals either side of half-time — an own goal from Kamil Glik and a tap-in by Stoke’s Mbaye Niang — ensured Senegal were the first African nation to pick up a point in the 2018 World Cup, despite Grzegorgz Krychowiak’s late consolation for Poland.
Senegal were the better side in a first-half low on quality but their opening goal was fortuitous, Thiago Cionek’s shot ricocheting home off the sins off Glik and wrong-footing Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
The Africans doubled their lead after the interval thanks to a hideous error by West Brom’s Krychowiak. The midfielder horribly mishit a volleyed back-pass, leaving Szczesny in a straight race with Stoke City forward Niang, who easily won and finished into an empty net.
Robert Lewandowski, the Poland captain, tested Senegal keeper Khadim Ndiaye with a freekick and Arkadiusz Milik poked just wide as the Europeans finally came to life.
They got the goal they probably deserved when Krychowiak made amends with a header from a corner but a late rally never materialised and Senegal held on for an important victory, which could have consequences for England in the knockouts.
