Yes, Senegal’s controversial goal against Poland should have counted
By Josh Hill
Senegal was an underdog against Poland and used a controversial goal to win its World Cup opener.
Controversial plays in sports are always fascinating to unpack, but that goes double for when it happens on a grand stage. There may be no grander stage in soccer than the World Cup, and when something controversial happens there it resonates across continents.
That’s what happened on Tuesday night in Russia when Senegal upset Poland using a goal that probably shouldn’t have counted.
The Goal
In the 59th minute, Mbaye Niang went off for medical treatment and was allowed back onto the pitch mid-play. He used this that to his advantage. Slipping behind the Polish defense, he scored what ended up being a decisive — and divisive — goal to put Senegal up 2-0.
Niang slips behind the defense to score Senegal's second goal of the day! pic.twitter.com/z7zJWiqxxz
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 19, 2018
Reaction
I am so perplexed by the whole Senegal second goal... was the ref not paying attention to the game? How does that happen?
— US Soccer Feed (@ussoccerfeed) June 19, 2018
The last sequence in Poland-Senegal game had everything that's wrong with soccer. Players faking injuries. Refs let them. "Injured'' player neither in/out of the game. Side ref allows injured player back in game during play. "Injured'' player suddenly healthy, scores goal.
— Mike Waters (@MikeWatersSYR) June 19, 2018
Senegal doing the Lord's work for Africa 👏🏾
— The Happy MC (@Eddy_Acquah) June 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/ChocMilkSheikh/status/1009110093495963649
Should It Have Counted?
There’s a lot of grey area here, but the general consensus seems to be that it shouldn’t have. That isn’t however, the right call. It’s ultimately up to the officials to determine when a player can be subbed in and how it’s handled. If someone goes off for medical treatment, they can’t re-enter until told to do so by an official. When a player is allowed back on is up to the discretion of the officials.
It’s unfortunate for Poland, but nothing more. What twists the knife is the fact that the match ended 2-1, meaning the controversial goal was a difference maker.
By the book, though, it appears that nothing as done wrong even if that’ll be a tough sell to Poland supporters.