Africa finally got its first win at the 2018 World Cup courtesy of Senegal’s 2-1 defeat of Poland.

Senegal arrived in Moscow painfully aware they represented the final chance for an African side to claim a win in the first round of World Cup matches after defeats for Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and Tunisia.

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It was a challenge they took up with gusto.

Once Idrissa Gueye opened up a cagey first half-hour with a shot that hit Michal Pazdan and Thiago Cionek before wrongfooting Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, there seemed little doubt as to where the points were heading.

Mbaye Niang added a controversial second, running straight from the touchline, having been ushered back on after injury, to beat Szczesny to the ball and tap in.

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But they deserved their moments of fortune against a Poland side, who, quite frankly, deserved nothing, even though Grzegorz Krychowiak provided a glimmer of hope with a late header.