SENEGAL became the first African team to win at this year’s World Cup, defeating Poland, 2-1, Tuesday on a first-half own goal and a controversial second-half strike 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.

Niang, who had returned to the field from treatment, later beat Szczesny to a backpass and had an open net when he doubled 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 debuts.

Senegal is tied for the group lead with Japan, which upset Colombia, 2-1, earlier. Senegal will play Japan Sunday, when Poland meets Colombia.

Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, and Tunisia have been outscored, 6-1, as African teams started 0-4.

Poland kept up its track record of dismal World Cup starts. It has four losses and three draws since beating Argentina in 1974.

(SD-Agencies)