At the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, holders France were drawn in a group alongside Senegal, Denmark and Uruguay, and entered the tournament as strong favourites after winning the 1998 edition, plus Euro 2000.
France’s opening game was against tournament debutants Senegal in Seoul. To many, it was a foregone conclusion. But Senegal had other ideas, winning 1-0 thanks to the late Papa Bouba Diop’s goal.
Senegal’s victory sent shockwaves around the footballing world and also helped send France home early. Senegal were eventually knocked out in the quarter-finals, while Les Bleus, winless, were eliminated bottom of their group.
Senegal…
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