Senegal returned to the World Cup after a 16-year wait in some style as they delivered a vibrant, aggressive display to defeat Poland 2-1 in Moscow on Tuesday to move to joint-top spot in Group H.
The Teranga Lions got Africa's first points of this summer's tournament on the board, and will take encouragement from a display that showcased their speed, directness, physicality and offensive cohesion.
Positives
Unlike some of the ofter African teams at this tournament, Senegal played to their strengths. They were direct, strong in their duels, coherent as an attacking unit and defied pre-match suggestions that they didn't know their best attacking lineup to trouble Poland throughout.
Against Poland, there was none of the limpness that characterised Nigeria's defeat by Croatia, and Aliou Cisse's side were energetic, full of running, determined, and battled throughout.
Most importantly, they were vibrant and proactive, and the wealth of offensive talent on the pitch - coupled with the options off the bench - should give them great confidence going forward.
Negatives
Senegal weren't clinical enough during the first half, in which they had five shots, but none on target.
Similarly, despite their athletic and physical prowess, their set pieces - an important element at this World Cup - were ineffective offensively.
They also conceded Africa's seventh goal from a set piece late in the second half, but were able to ride out the storm.
Manager rating (out of 10):
8 - Aliou Cisse deserves immense credit for his tactical approach, his team selection, and his in-game management.
The Lions were proactive and vibrant, making a mockery of the pre-tournament forecasts that suggested they would be less than the sum of their parts going forward.
His decision to start without Cheikhou Kouyate raised eyebrows, but Alfred N'Diaye ultimately forged a strong and mobile midfield partnership with Idrissa Gueye.
Finally, his substitutions - introducing Cheikh Ndoye and Kouyate during the second half - were sensible and served to give Senegal more presence and defensive might as Poland sought to find a way back into the game.
Player ratings (1-10, with 10 the best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating):
GK Khadim N'Diaye, 7 -- Forced to push away a fine Robert Lewandowski free kick at the start of the second - Poland's first effort on target - but was largely untroubled until a series of brave late claims.
DF Youssef Sabaly, 8 -- Demonstrated why Senegal were so keen, for so long, to recruit him with an excellent performance at left-back. Constantly caused problems for Poland with his smart and astute passing forward, and was involved in much of what was good about the Lions' play.
DF Kalidou Koulibaly, 6 -- Dived in rashly at the feet of Lewandowski after the break, exposing Salif Sane, but held the fort well.
DF Salif Sane, 8 -- Troubled by Robert Lewandowski at the start of the second half, picking up a booking, although apart from that he was a rock at the heart of the defence for Senegal, relentlessly protecting N'Diaye's goal. He won four aerial battles and made six clearances during the contest.
DF Moussa Wague, 6 -- Clumsy at times for a player who's usually so polished, but combined well going forward with Ismaila Sarr and Poland struggled to deal with the overlap.
MF Idrissa Gueye, 8 -- His speculative effort deflected in off Thiago Cionek for Africa's first goal from open play of this tournament so far, although he also kept Poland at bay by forging a magnificent midfield partnership with Alfred N'Diaye.
MF Alfred N'Diaye, 7 -- Named in the starting XI ahead of captain Cheikhou Kouyate, but justified his inclusion with a solid showing.
In truth, Poland were largely sluggish and predictable in their build-up, and he wasn't overly stretched.
FW Mbaye Niang, 8 -- He added Senegal's controversial second on the hour mark after latching onto Grzegorz Krychowiak's wayward backpass.
Before that, he'd revealed again why he can be such a frustrating talent, with some wayward finishing, but he was physically strong against his full-back, and offered pace and direct running out wide.
FW Sadio Mane, 6 -- He captained the side with Kouyate dropped, but didn't enjoy his most influential outing for the Lions. Combined well with Niang in the build-up to Senegal's opener, and created two goalscoring chances.
FW Ismaila Sarr, 7 -- His inclusion came as a surprise to some, but in truth, the wideman has been one of Senegal's most eye-catching players in recent fixtures and justified his spot with a fine showing out wide.
He unsettled Poland with his pace and dribbling, while simultaneously tracking back to protect Wague.
FW Mame Biram Diouf, 6 -- Missed a chance to make it 2-0 soon after the interval, having earlier missed a header after the half-hour mark.
There were some encouraging signs of a positive interplay with Mane, but his control was poor.
Substitutes
MF Cheikh Ndoye, 6 -- He was already primed to come on before Niang added Senegal's second, and was charged with clogging up the heart of the park and offering aerial presence thereafter.
FW Moussa Konate, N/R
MF Cheikhou Kouyate, N/R