Reigning champions France crashed to a shock 1-0 upset defeat against African minnows and tournament debutants Senegal as the 2002 World Cup kicked off with a bang in South Korea on Friday.
Senegal, fielding a side made up entirely of France-based players, secured what will go down as one of the most famous upsets in World Cup history thanks to a 30th-minute goal from midfielder Pape Bouba Diop in the Group A clash.
But it was a desperate night for France, who struggled to produce their normal free-flowing game in the absence of injured star playmaker Zinedine Zidane.
The French laid siege to Senegal’s goal in the second half, hitting the woodwork and forcing Senegal keeper Tony Sylva into a string of important blocks as the underdogs hung on.
Senegal’s goal came after African footballer of the year El-Hadji Diouf sprinted clear of veteran French defender Frank Leboeuf down the left flank after a swift breakout.
Diouf’s low centre was met by back-pedalling France midfielder Emmanuel Petit, whose clearance rebounded off the legs of diving goalkeeper Fabien Barthez allowing Bouba Diop to hook home from close range.
The pace of Diouf posed a constant threat to the French defence in the opening 45 minutes at the 64 000-capacity Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Senegal had threatened the French goal only a few minutes after kick-off when Diouf broke down the right and crossed for Khalilou Fadiga, whose low shot was easily saved by Barthez.
France failed to trouble Sylva in the opening minutes, the Africans’ defence making its presence felt with two crunching tackles on Arsenal star Thierry Henry.
But France almost took the lead after 23 minutes. A swift advance on goal saw Henry thread a pass to Juventus striker David Trezeguet who took one touch before curling a shot against the post with Sylva easily beaten.
Youri Djorkaeff, who replaced the injured Real Madrid star Zidane, curled a 30-yard free-kick which Sylva comfortably held, and the Senegal goalkeeper also did well to gather a low Sylvain Wiltord shot shortly before the break.
Diouf’s lively play clearly frustrated the French, and on half-time Petit was booked by United Arab Emirates referee Ali Bujsaim for a crude tackle from behind.
Within minutes of the restart Diouf was again menacing the French area, this time just failing to get on the end of a whipped in cross by Fadiga.
France, who enjoyed much of the possession throughout but failed to create much, saw a Petit free kick from just outside the area cannon into the Senegalese wall.
Senegal skipper Aliou Cisse was cautioned on 50 minutes for scything down French captain Marcel Desailly as the champions pressed forward desperately for an equaliser.
Trezeguet went close twice but Henry was the worst culprit, ballooning a close-range header over the bar as an out-of-position Sylva scrambled to cover.
But France badly missed the inspirational midfield artistry of the injured Zidane, and his replacement Djorkaeff never looked like providing the inspiration needed before being substituted for Christophe Dugarry on the hour.
On 65 minutes Fadiga almost put Senegal in wonderland. The Auxerre player sped down the flank, bamboozled an uncomfortable-looking Leboeuf and smashed an angled shot onto the crossbar with Barthez beaten.
Moments later France rattled the woodwork at the other end, Henry curling a sublime chip over Sylva only to see his wonderful effort bounce up off the bar. – Sapa-AFP, AP
Teams
France: Fabien Barthez; Bixente Lizarazu, Patrick Vieira, Youri Djorkaeff, Marcel Desailly (c), Sylvain Wiltord, Thierry Henry, Lilian Thuram, Emmanuel Petit, Frank Leboeuf, David Trezeguet.
Senegal: Tony Sylva; Omar Daf, Pape Malick Diop, Aliou Cisse (c), Khalilou Fadiga, El Hadji Diouf, Lamine Diatta, Moussa Ndiaye, Salif Diao, Ferdinand Coly, Pape Bouba Diop.
Referee: Ali Bujsaim, United Arab Emirates.