Senegal ran out deserved 2-1 victors in opposition to a woeful Poland on the Spartak Stadium in Group H's second recreation of the day.
Senegal took the lead in the 37th minute, when Idrissa Gueye's 20-yard-strike took a enormous deflection off the unlucky Thiago Cionek and bobbled previous a wrong-footed Wojciech SzczΔsny.
The Lions of Teranga took benefit of some dismal defending to double their lead in the 60th minute, M'Baye Niang poking the ball previous SzczΔsny and rolling it into the empty web. Poland did get a aim again by means of Grzegorz Krychowiak's 86th minute header, nevertheless it was too little too late and Senegal held on for the deserved victory.
Here are three issues we realized from Tuesday's conflict.
3. Japan Have a Chance of Progressing
Make no mistake about it, this was a dire recreation between two sides who appeared removed from convincing. Yes, Senegal did deserve the win, however the Lions of Teranga weren't significantly better than a woeful Polish facet.
Japan, who have been the favourites to complete backside of group H heading into the competitors, could have been handed a enormous serving to hand with the early dismissal of Carlos SΓ‘nchez Moreno in their earlier recreation versus Colombia, however the Blue Samurai displayed some encouraging indicators in opposition to a workforce who reached the 2014 World Cup quarter finals.
Japan are prone to want simply three extra factors from their remaining two video games in order to progress to the knockout rounds, and Akira Nishino's facet can take some confidence from Polish woes.
2. M'Baye Niang a Real Threat
Liverpool ahead Sadio Mane has been highlighted as the principle Senegalese risk, however Torino midfielder M'Baye Niang was one of the best participant on the park in opposition to Poland.
The 23-year-old's direct working posed the one risk to the Polish backline in the primary half, and full again Lukasz Piszczek appeared reluctant to enterprise too far ahead as a consequence. He was additionally the catalyst to Senegal's first aim and confirmed his predatory instincts to prod dwelling the Lions of Teranga's second of the sport.
1. Poland & Colombia in Deep Trouble
Both of the favourites to complete in the highest two of Group H, Poland and Colombia, misplaced their opening video games. With Senegal but to face Japan, realistically, solely one of many two sides can now qualify for the knockout levels of the competitors.
Colombia are set to face Poland on Sunday on the Kazan Arena, with whoever loses that recreation prone to be going through early elimination from the World Cup.