Senegal defeats France in 2002 World Cup opening match

On May 31, 2002, Senegal achieved a historic victory over reigning champions France in the opening match of the World Cup held in Seoul. After a goalless first half, Papa Bouba Diop scored the only goal of the match in the 30th minute, capitalizing on a chaotic moment in France's penalty area. Despite France's attempts to respond, including a shot hitting the post, Senegal's defensive strategy held firm. This surprising defeat marked the start of a challenging tournament for France, who were eliminated in the group stage without scoring a goal, while Senegal progressed to the quarter-finals, creating a memorable moment in World Cup history.

• 2:14 PMYahoo Sports — 📽 The day Senegal brought down France at the World Cup