Senegal defeats France in 2002 World Cup opening match
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 16, 2026, 2:14 PM
Last updated Jun 16, 2026
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.
- •Date: May 31, 2002
- •Location: Seoul
- •Final score: Senegal 1, France 0
- •Papa Bouba Diop scored in the 30th minute
- •France eliminated early without scoring a goal
- 2:14 PMYahoo Sports — 📽 The day Senegal brought down France at the World Cup
"Date: May 31, 2002, place: Seoul. Those who lived through that day definitely remember it.For everyone else, here is an unforgettable episode from the 2002 World Cup.In the opening match of the World ...
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