France faces early exit as World Cup hopes collapse in 2002
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 18, 2026, 5:31 AM
Last updated Jul 18, 2026
The 2002 FIFA World Cup opened with a stunning upset as defending champions France lost 0-1 to Senegal. Prior to the tournament, expectations were high for Les Bleus, with Adidas promoting the team's quest for a second star. However, their defeat marked a significant downturn in their campaign, as the French team failed to matches expectations set by their previous performances. The repercussions from this match highlighted how quickly fortunes can shift in tournament play.
- •France lost 0-1 to Senegal in their opening match of the 2002 World Cup.
- •Adidas promoted France's title defense with ads emphasizing a second star.
- •Les Bleus were expected to perform well based on prior friendly matches.
- •The upset reflected the unpredictable nature of World Cup tournaments.
- 5:31 AMYahoo Sports — ⏳ World Cup rewind: 2002, when Adidas and France got ahead of themselves
"Every four years, the hierarchy of world football is shaken up. Fallen favorites, inspired underdogs, moments of genius, flashes of temper: the World Cup always brings its share of surprises. This ser...
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