Senegal deservedly defeated Poland to claim the first win by an African team at the World Cup.

The Lions of Teranga roared into an early lead shortly before the break when a shot from Everton’s Idrissa Gueye took a huge deflection off the unfortunate Thiago Cionek.

They extended that lead midway through the first half, but in controversial fashion as M’Baye Niang sprinted back on to the field of play after injury and immediately intercepted an awkward looking backpass from Grzegorz Krychowiak, beating former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and Southampton defender Jan Bednarek to the ball to slot into an empty net.

Confusion reigned while many of the Polish players were disgusted, they protested in vain to referee Nawaf Shukralla.

Poland created little, but ensured there would be a frantic finale when West Brom midfielder Krychowiak headed home brilliantly from a deep free-kick at the far post.