Senegal gets Africa in win column at World Cup
SENEGAL 2 POLAND 1 — At Moscow, Senegal became the first African team to win at this year’s World Cup, defeating Poland yesterday on a first-half own-goal and a controversial second-half score by Mbaye Niang.
Senegal, back in the tournament for the first time since 2002, went ahead in the 37th minute when Thiago Cionek’s attempted block of Idrissa Gueye’s shot wrong-footed goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who was picked to start over fellow Arsenal castoff Lukasz Fabianski.
Niang, who returned to the field from treatment, later beat Szczesny to double the lead in the 60th.
Grzegorz Krychowiak, whose backpass led to Senegal’s second goal, headed in a free kick in the 86th minute to end Poland’s streak of five straight scoreless World Cup openers.
Both teams’ stars, Senegal’s Sadio Mane and Poland’s Robert Lewandowski, rarely threatened in quiet World Cup debuts. JAPAN 2 COLOMBIA 1 — At Saransk, Russia, Yuya Osako had a surprise in store for those who thought the absence of Shinji Okazaki left Japan little hope of competing with Colombia at the World Cup.
Oasko’s gritty determination to set up one goal and his 73rdminute header from Keisuke Honda’s corner kick lifted Japan to a surprising victory over the Colombians on Tuesday.
Osako won a bouncing ball to begin an early sequence that led to a penalty, put Colombia a man down and gave Japan a 1-0 lead when Shinji Kagawa converted from the spot.
Colombia had to play all but the opening minutes with 10 men after Carlos Sanchez received a red card for blocking Kagawa’s shot on goal with his extended right arm.
Columbia equalized late in the first half on Juan Quintero’s rolling but accurate free kick, which sneaked inside the right post.
Japan became the latest side to pull off an upset at the World Cup, joining Mexico, Switzerland and Iceland in earning surprising results.