Striker Lewandowski frustrated in loss
Senegal beat Poland for first African win at 2018 World Cup
Prolific Poland striker Robert Lewandowski’s World Cup campaign opened in frustrating fashion on Tuesday as Senegal starved him of possession and claimed a 2-1 win in Moscow to become the first African team to win a match at the tournament.
The 29-year-old arrived in Russia newly crowned as the Bundesliga’s top scorer for the third time, and having netted a record 16 times for Poland in 10 World Cup qualifiers. The Bayern Munich forward also admitted he had a point to prove after a disappointing Euro 2016, when he scored only once during Poland’s run to the quarterfinals.
But Senegal ensured he saw little of the ball in their clash at Spartak Stadium, preventing him from having a shot on target until the 50-minute mark.
The match was billed as a shootout between strikers Lewandowski and Senegal’s Sadio Mane but neither found the net. However, Mane helped set up Senegal’s opening goal and combined well with Torino winger Mbaye Niang to pressure Poland’s defense.
The taller Lewandowski operated more as a traditional target man, trying to create options for Poland in the box. But he was left isolated up front for long periods and was swarmed by the welldrilled Senegal defense when he did gain possession. He was closely marked by Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly but created a chance in the 22nd minute, neatly controlling Jakub Blaszczykowski’s pass only to shoot wide.
Lewandowski showed a willingness to drop back to midfield and perform what he has referred to as “donkey work,” but clearly missed the quality balls provided by the likes of Arjen Robben at Bayern.
He made a blistering run from midfield early in the second half and was almost through on goal before being brought down by Salif Sane, who earned himself a yellow card.
Lewandowski curled the resulting free kick beautifully over the wall but Senegal keeper Khadim Ndiaye dived to his left to push the ball away.
The striker continued to toil but his night was summed up in the 81st minute when he controlled a pass in the box, only for three Senegal defenders to surround and dispossess him.