The Chelsea defender, a summer signing from Napoli, was at the heart of the Lions of Teranga’s defence as they overcame a gallant Bolivia side at the Stade de Source in Orleans thanks to goals from Boulaye Dia and a Sadio Mane penalty.

Koulibaly looked assured in defence, dealing with any Bolivian attack with ease and playing his part by stepping out into midfield on occasions.

Edouard Mendy, a team-mate of Koulibaly’s for both club and country, was absent from the fixture through injury.

Senegal’s next game is on Tuesday, when they face Iran in another friendly ahead of the upcoming World Cup. That fixture will be hosted in Austria.

Elsewhere, there were Nations League defeats for Cesar Azpilicueta and Armando Broja for Spain and Albania respectively.

Azpi started at right-back for Spain as they took on Switzerland in Zaragoza, before being replaced by Carlos Soler in the final moments as La Roja suffered a first home defeat in 22 matches.

Manuel Akanji handed Switzerland a first-half lead before Jordi Alba equalised for Spain five minutes before the hour but moments later the visitors restored parity, courtesy of a Eric Garcia own goal.

Denis Zakaria, a recent loan signing from Juventus, came on as a substitute in the 68th minute to help Switzerland to victory.

It means Portugal leapfrog Spain to top spot in their Nations League group with Tuesday’s clash between the pair set to be a winner-takes-all affair to qualify for next year’s Nations League finals.

Meanwhile there was heartbreak for Broja and Albania in Tel Aviv, as Tai Baribo netted an injury-time winner for Israel.

Shon Weissman handed the hosts the lead a minute into the second half before an 88th minute equaliser from Myrto Uzani looked to have grabbed Albania a share of the spoils, before Baribo’s late intervention.

Broja played the full 90 minutes for the Eagles in Israel.

Earlier on Saturday, in the younger age groups, Lewis Hall played 90 minutes as England U-19s defeated Georgia 6-0 to make it two wins from two in their UEFA European Championship qualification campaign.

While in the Under-20 ranks, Carney Chukwuemeka and Harvey Vale both featured in England’s 2-1 win over Morocco. Sami Tlemcani played in goal for Morocco.

A squad consisting of a large majority of the Euro Under-19 squad managed to beat the side from North Africa in Spain, where Vale captained the Young Lions.

Meanwhile, Jimi Tauriainen was introduced as a sub in the 65th minute as Finland were defeated 2-0 by France at U19 level.