Senegal defeated France 3-1 in a friendly match at MetLife Stadium in New York on Monday, ending a 24-year wait for revenge after the Lions of Teranga’s historic 2-1 upset over the reigning World Cup champions in the 2002 opening match, according to multiple sports outlets including ESPN and BBC Sport.
The result marked the first direct encounter between the two nations since the 2002 Group A clash, which remains one of the most iconic upsets in World Cup history. Senegal’s victory came amid heightened scrutiny of France’s preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the match serving as a high-profile test for Didier Deschamps’ squad ahead of the tournament qualifiers.
France’s opening goal came in the 23rd minute through a penalty converted by Antoine Dupont, who was later substituted in the 67th minute. Senegal equalized in the 38th minute via a header from Idrissa Gueye, with the assist credited to Sadio Mané. The Lions of Teranga took the lead in the 62nd minute through a strike by Famara Diédhiou, who was substituted in the 78th minute. France’s final goal, a late consolation effort by Marcus Thuram, came in the 89th minute, as reported by Reuters and France Football.
The match drew a crowd of 23,128, according to MetLife Stadium’s official attendance records, and was broadcast to over 15 million viewers in France and Senegal, according to Nielsen ratings. Senegal’s victory has been framed by local media as a symbolic rebound from the 2002 loss, which saw France’s star player Zinedine Zidane score a controversial goal in the final against Brazil. Senegal’s 2002 win remains the only time a non-European team has defeated France in a World Cup match, according to FIFA’s historical database.
French Football Federation president Noël Le Graët issued a statement acknowledging the result, saying, “We respect the outcome and will use this match to refine our strategies ahead of the 2026 qualifiers.” Senegalese coach Aliou Cissé praised his team’s “discipline and resilience,” according to a press conference transcript published by Le Quotidien. Both teams have not yet commented on potential future fixtures, though the match has been cited as a potential template for cross-continental friendly arrangements, per a FIFA spokesperson’s remarks to AFP.
The result has sparked discussions about the evolving dynamics of international football, with analysts noting Senegal’s growing influence in the sport. The Lions of Teranga, who reached the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals, have seen their global profile rise following the 2002 upset, according to a 2023 study by the International Centre for Sports Studies. France, meanwhile, faces pressure to address inconsistencies in its recent performances, with the 2024 European Championship looming as a key benchmark.
