France vs Senegal: the memory from 24 years ago haunts Les Bleus
France and Senegal open Group I at the World Cup, with memories of 2002 looming large — the last and only time the two sides met at a World Cup, Senegal pulled off a famous upset win.
France and Senegal open the battle in Group I at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey tonight, in what promises to be a spectacular clash between European power and African athleticism.
Any meeting between France and Senegal at a World Cup inevitably takes us back to May 31, 2002, when debutants Senegal shocked the reigning world champions 1-0 in the tournament opener in South Korea and Japan — one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
France appear at their 17th World Cup with two titles to their name (1998 and 2018), while Senegal qualify for the fourth time, with that same 2002 quarter-final run remaining their best ever achievement.
Both sides arrive in North America after impressive qualifying campaigns. France topped their UEFA group with five wins and one draw, scoring 16 and conceding just 4. Senegal were equally dominant in Africa — seven wins and three draws in 10 matches, with a goal difference of 22-3. Group I is completed by Norway and Iraq.
Les Bleus beat Northern Ireland 3-1 in their final warm-up but had previously lost 1-2 to Ivory Coast. Coach Didier Deschamps remains calm: "This match is important because it's the first, but it's not decisive. Senegal are a very high-level opponent, one of the best in the world." Senegal looked less sharp in preparation, drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia and losing 2-3 to the USA, but the African champions are widely regarded as the main contenders for second place in the group and a side capable of upsetting anyone.