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The Aliou Cisse tutored side beat Poland 2-1, helped by an own goal from a Brazilian-born Polish defender and a nightmare moment for goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Thiago Cionek stuck out a leg and deflected Idrissa Gueye’s wayward shot into the net to give Senegal the lead in the 37th minute.
The Teranga Lions second goal was even more of a gift for the nation making their first appearance at the World Cup since reaching the quarter-finals in 2002.
Poland midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak played the ball back from inside the Senegal half but the defence failed to notice that M’Baye Niang, who had been on the touchline receiving treatment, had re-entered the field. Szczesny rushed out of his area to intercept but Niang got to the ball first, slipped it past him and scored into an empty net amid Polish disbelief.
Niang, who at 23 has already played for Caen, AC Milan, Montpellier, Genoa, Watford and Torino, said: “I saw a ball coming back from the Polish defence. I felt there was something on and was able to get in there and score.”
Krychowiak replied with an 86th minute header but it was too little for the Poles who are now in danger of repeating the group stage exit they suffered in 2006.
The win put Senegal and Japan, 2-1 winners over Colombia earlier on Tuesday, level on three points at the top of Group H indeed a relief for Africa after Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and Tunisia all lost their opening games.
Coach Aliou Cisse said his side won due to discipline,”
Cisse, who captained the side in 2002 is the only African Coach at Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.
