Senegal have boosted their chances of qualifying from Group H with a 2-1 victory over Poland in Tuesday's World Cup clash in Moscow.
An own goal from Thiago Cionek gave Senegal the advantage and M'Baye Niang capitalised on indecision in the Poland defence to add a second shortly after the break.
Grzegorz Krychowiak halved the deficit during the closing stages, but Poland are left facing an uphill task to progress through to the last 16.
Find out how all of the action unfolded in Russia's capital courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the World Cup clash between Poland and Senegal. Thirty nations have played their opening games but these two teams will complete the set in Moscow!
Before we move on with the build-up, let's take a look at the two starting lineups - which should be fairly well-matched!
POLAND XI: Szczesny; Piszczek, Pazdan, Cionek, Rybus; Blaszczykowski, Krychowiak, Zielinski; Grosicki, Milik, Lewandowski
SENEGAL XI: K.N'Diaye; Sabaly, Koulibaly, Salif Sane, Wague; Gueye, A.N'Diaye; Diouf, Sadio Mane, Sarr; Niang
Let's start by taking a look at Poland, with the most notable selection - or non-selection - coming in defence as Kamil Glik misses out. The centre-back is making a good recovery from a shoulder injury but must remain on the sidelines for this contest.
There are few surprises elsewhere in the team with Robert Lewandowski being joined by Arkadiusz Milik in attack. For the latter, featuring at this tournament is success on its own after serious issues with his knee.
Kamil Grosiciki will also provide a threat in the final third while the centre of the pitch is full of experience. Jakub Blaszczykowski is making his 100th appearance for his country in this game.
Poland have plenty of quality in reserve, including Sampdoria youngster Dawid Kownacki. Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters will also recognise the name of Slawomir Peszko, who failed to make an impact at Molineux during the 2012-13 campaign but has since revived his career at Lechia Gdansk.
As for Senegal, Sadio Mane is the star attraction having enjoyed an excellent season with Liverpool. The winger features in a creative midfield three alongside Stoke City's Mame Biram Diouf and Ismaila Sarr, with M'Baye Niang leading the attack.
The midfield battle promises to be competitive this afternoon with Everton's Idrissa Gueye and Alfred N'Diaye - who represented Wolves last season - getting the nod in the centre of the park. Cheikhou Kouyate of West Ham United is only named on the bench.
Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly will have a big role to play at the back, but Salif Sane of Schalke 04 also has experience of the biggest stage. Both will need to play to their maximum to halt Lewandowski.
Those who feature on the bench include Stoke City's Badou N'Diaye and Diafra Sakho, formerly of West Ham. Moussa Sow is also among the replacements, despite being the player who has netted the most goals for his country in the current setup.
RESULT! This is the second game to be staged on Tuesday, with the earlier fixture involving the other two teams from Group H. It was Japan who prevailed against Colombia but it was far from an uneventful match! Click here to read our on-the-whistle report.
It's time to get stuck into the build-up for this match. Poland have competed at the last three European Championships, but this is the team's first appearance at a World Cup since 2006! In both 2002 and 2006, Poland failed to progress from the group stages.
To some degree, it's irrelevant, but Poland have lost six of their last eight matches at the tournament, as well as failing to keep a clean sheet in any of those fixtures!
I'm afraid that it doesn't get much more positive, Poland fans. The team have not scored a goal in their last five opening games at a World Cup!
We will get to the positive stuff now - just to reward your patience! Poland qualified for this tournament having topped a group which also included Denmark, Montenegro and Romania. Lewandowski also ended the campaign as top scorer with 16 goals.
There is no doubting that Poland rely on the Bayern Munich frontman, but goals are still scored from other areas of the pitch. Milik, Grosicki and Blaszczykowski are all in double figures for their country.
There is an older feel to the backline. Only two of the 11 goalkeepers and defenders are below the age of 28! Poland could go through a transitional period in the coming years.
Let's turn our attention to Senegal now, who have waited 16 years for another outing on the global stage. Back then, they enjoyed a memorable run to the quarter-finals!
Back then, Senegal defeated France and took points off Denmark and Uruguay to reach the last 16, where they defeated Sweden after extra time! However, their tournament ended when Turkey edged them out in the same manner in the next stage.
Senegal haven't exactly excelled in the Africa Cup of Nations in recent years. A quarter-final effort last year is their best attempt since 2006.
However, the Lions of Teranga have shown that they are capable of keeping things tight over the past year. It has been 10 games since they last conceded more than two goals in a match.
All but one of Senegal's squad play their football in Europe, including seven who represented English clubs last season. The only player to feature in an African league is goalkeeper Khadim N'Diaye, who plays for Guinean side Horoya.
PREDICTION! Both teams will fancy their chances in this match, while also being keen not to lose their opening contest. We are going to go for Poland to edge it 2-1, with Lewandowski proving too good for the Senegal backline.
HEAD TO HEAD! Today's meeting is the first time that these two nations have faced each other on the international stage!
Poland opted to play just one African nation in the build-up to this tournament, with a 1-0 defeat coming against Nigeria in March.
As for Senegal, their only friendly against a strong European side came at the start of this month, with a 2-1 defeat coming against Croatia.
It's time for the two teams to make their way out in Russia's capital. We are due some light showers in and around the Moscow area but it is still 26C in Moscow.
A reminder of the two starting lineups...
POLAND XI: Szczesny; Piszczek, Pazdan, Cionek, Rybus; Blaszczykowski, Krychowiak, Zielinski; Grosicki, Milik, Lewandowski
SENEGAL XI: K.N'Diaye; Sabaly, Koulibaly, Salif Sane, Wague; Gueye, A.N'Diaye; Diouf, Sadio Mane, Sarr; Niang
KICKOFF! Senegal get us underway!
It has been a bright start from Senegal, with the African nation launching an attack straight from kickoff and Mane dealing with a Poland counter by dragging the ball back in his team's defensive third.
Poland have now started to gain control of the ball, playing it about in their own half with Senegal content to sit back. Both teams will be happy with how they have began this fixture.
A long ball over the top of the defence should be dealt with by Poland's Cionek, but the centre-back instead heads behind for a corner under no real pressure.
Nothing comes from the resulting set piece, with Poland able to head clear at the near post.
Poland had shown signs of settling into this contest but over the past couple of minutes, they have looked extremely shaky. They are not enjoying the direct approach taken by their opponents.
Mane is spending as much time infield as he is on the flank. He is being given more freedom than he gets at Liverpool. The attacker almost found Niang with a through-ball but the pass went through to Szczesny.
BOOKING! Krychowiak is the first man to go into the book for a tug on Mane.
Nothing came from the resulting set piece and Poland have since launched a counter and won a corner. Better from the European side who had started to retreat into their shell.
Back come Senegal through Sarr, who ran directly at a Poland defence who didn't welcome his run. However, the Rennes player's touch was heavy and the ball trickled out for a goal kick.
We are still awaiting the first real chance in this match. Aside from a 30-yard free kick which did not come close to hitting the target, we have had little goalmouth action.
SHOT! Just like that, we get an opportunity. Senegal's Niang is played through on goal but after coming under pressure from a defender, the striker dragged a left-footed effort well wide of the far post.
CHANCE! Like buses! A scuffed effort from outside of the area goes into the path of Poland's Grosicki, but the winger sends a header over the crossbar. Difficult opening.
Poland have reverted back to trying to keep hold of possession and Senegal are not making much of an effort to step out and meet them. It inevitably leads to a lull in the action.
N'Diaye attempts an audacious pass through to Sarr down the right flank but the ball goes out for a goal kick. That was a waste of possession.
Not a lot is happening right now, aside from the Senegal supporters making a lot of noise in the stands. We still wait for either goalkeeper to be worked.
You can certainly see why Senegal do not concede many goals. Despite the flair in attack, they do not place much emphasis on attack. It's as we were.
As we go through the half-hour mark, we have had four shots - all off target - and two corners. We are still warming up but there will be a point where both teams throw caution to the wind with Japan beating Colombia earlier today.
Lewandowski and Mane had both been expected to be their side's key men today but so far, defences are very much on top. Over the past few minutes, all we have had are a couple of poor crosses into the penalty area.
Koulibaly is sticking to Lewandowski like glue. The Poland striker just got on the ball around 35 yards from goal but he was given no space to engineer any kind of a chance for his team.
We are having a break in play while a couple of players receive some treatment. One of them is Blaszczykowski, who took two studs to his ankle, but the Poland midfielder should be fine to continue.
GOAL! Poland 0-1 Senegal (Thiago Cionek own goal)
Senegal take the lead! It has taken a bit of luck for them to do so but they won't care! Gueye's shot from around 25 yards was scuffed and probably heading wide but his effort struck Cionek, deceived Szczesny and went into the opposite corner!
On a positive note, that goal should at least lead to more ambition from Poland, who have been desperately poor so far.
CHANCE! It should be two! A corner finds Sane and the centre-back has a free header from by the penalty spot. However, the Schalke man heads the ball into the ground and the ball goes off-target.
Going back to Senegal's defensive record and it suggests that this group of players are well-drilled when it comes to seeing out a result. It already looks that way as they focus their attention on passing the ball about, making Poland chase.
There will be two minutes of added-on time.
HALF TIME: Poland 0-1 Senegal
The half-time whistle goes in Moscow and Senegal lead thanks to the own goal from Cionek. They didn't necessarily deserve their opener but they have done more in this game than Poland, who have been well below par.
Senegal's goal came in fortuitous circumstances but Gueye got his reward for taking on a shot from the edge of the area. His effort was probably going wide but Cionek's deflection lead to Szczesny being deceived and the ball heading into the opposite side of the net.
Poland's only real success in the final third came from an improvised effort from Grosicki, who headed over from 12 yards. Lewandowski has had very little impact on the game due to being closely-marked by Koulibaly.
The European side do not necessarily have to make any changes in personnel but Nawalka definitely needs to tinker with his approach. History suggests that Senegal will be happy with the 1-0.
SUBSTITUTION! Well a substitution is being made. Blaszczykowski - who had picked up an ankle knock - is being replaced by Southampton's Jan Bednarek.
KICKOFF! Poland get us back underway.
Bednarek had been on the pitch for 35 seconds before clattering into Mane, picking up a head injury. The 22-year-old looked dazed for a while but he is fine to carry on.
BOOKING! The first sign of life from Lewandowski results in the forward moving clear of the defence and Sane gets across to commit the foul. He went for the ball, however, so it is only a booking.
SHOT! Lewandowski gets to his feet to take the set piece and his curling effort is punched clear by N'Diaye.
CHANCE! Some good work down the left from Senegal leads to a cross being delivered for Mane, but the winger's first-time half-volley from 14 yards is well-blocked by a defender. That was heading in.
Senegal have reacted well to that free kick from Lewandowski. They seem to have realised that trying to see out a 1-0 against a team which includes the Bayern Munich man is not the smartest idea.
CHANCE! Back come Poland who surge down the left-hand side of the pitch before a cross is delivered to Rybus at the back post, but the defender miscues a volley well wide of the near post.
Senegal are preparing their first change. Birmingham City's Cheikh N'Doye is about to be introduced. This could be a defensive alteration.
GOAL! Poland 0-2 Senegal (M'Baye Niang)
Senegal double their advantage in calamitous circumstances! Krychowiak decides to volley a back-pass towards his own goal from the halfway line and it is short. Bednarek and Szczesny then get into a mix up and Niang capitalises, hitting the ball past the goalkeeper from around 40 yards before tapping home from close range.
SUBSTITUTION! Senegal have gone ahead and made the change, with N'Doye coming on for Diouf.
Poland have it all to do now. They have the quality to get back into this game but they just haven't shown up this evening. Senegal are well worth their two-goal lead.
Some of the Poland supporters have started to boo their team. There had been high expectations before this match but it looks like group favourites Colombia and Nawalka's team are going to begin their campaign with a defeat.
Since the second goal, Poland have won one corner which was over-hit. Senegal are content to sit back and leave their opponents to lose the ball, such is their confidence in their lead.
CHANCE! Much better from Poland. Piszczek gets to the byline and delivers a low cross towards the near post but Milik sends his close-range effort just wide.
BOOKING! Gueye is booked by the referee for lunging in at Krychowiak in the centre of the pitch.
SUBSTITUTION! A change for Poland as youngster Kownacki is introduced for Milik.
SUBSTITUTION! A second switch for Senegal sees Niang depart for Konate. The changes have broken up the rhythm of this game and has not helped Poland.
Rybus is relatively defensive-minded but the left-sided player is proving to be Poland's biggest threat in this second half. The 28-year-old - who plays in this city for Lokomotiv Moscow - is using his pace to good effect.
CHANCE! Half a chance for Poland. Another cross comes in from the left flank but Kownacki's header is weak and N'Diaye makes a comfortable save.
SUBSTITUTION! A final switch for Poland sees Bereszynski introduced in place of Piszczek.
There is still very little coming from Poland. They have had a couple of chances but they are hardly spraying the ball about with intent.
GOAL! Poland 1-2 Senegal (Grzegorz Krychowiak)
Game on! Grosicki's free kick from a central position is perfect for Krychowiak to power a header into the far corner of the net. Senegal had wanted to make a change before the set piece but were denied the chance to do so!
SUBSTITUTION! Senegal finally get round to introducing Kouyate, who replaces N'Diaye.
There will be four minutes of added-on time. Poland still have a chance to save this game!
Poland are sending numerous balls into the penalty area but so far, Senegal are repelling them all. Goalkeeper N'Diaye is not afraid to come and claim.
FULL TIME: Poland 1-2 Senegal
The full-time whistle goes in Moscow and Senegal have held on to register an excellent victory over Poland. Both of Senegal's goals had an element of fortune to them but Aliou Cisse's team fully deserve their victory in Russia's capital. Both Colombia and Poland begin with defeats - who would have thought it!
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening and we hope that you can stick around for the upcoming fixture involving Russia and Egypt.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
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