Compounding the worries for African supporters is that, aside from Senegal, the continent's five teams largely aren't scoring. Egypt, Morocco and Nigeria didn't get off the mark in losing their opening matches to Uruguay, Iran and Croatia, respectively. Tunisia's goal in its 2-1 loss to England came from a penalty. Mohamed Salah, Egypt's star striker, also scored from the spot on his return Tuesday to the team following his left-shoulder injury in the Champions League final in May.

The only African to score from open play so far in Russia is Mbaye Niang, who pounced on an appallingly judged and executed Polish back pass to net Senegal's second goal at Moscow's Spartak Stadium. The other two goals in the match were both scored by Poles. Defender Thiago Cionek deflected a shot off his right calf past his own keeper, an own goal that gave Senegal the lead. Grzegorz Krychowiak headed in Poland's late consolation goal.