France and Senegal meet again in Group I ahead of a World Cup match that echoes their 2002 encounter. In the 2002 tournament, France entered the match as defending champions, but Senegal produced a 1–0 upset victory in the opener. The win triggers widespread celebration in Dakar, including reports of dancing in the streets, and then-Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade declared a national holiday. Ahead of Monday’s game, Senegal and France both reference the historical context, with France midfielder N’Golo Kanté saying the focus is not on revenge but on advancing as far as possible in the competition. The match is framed as an opportunity for Senegal to replicate the result that previously captivated the country and for France to respond to a past shock. Both outlets point to the same key theme: the 2002 upset remains a notable part of the teams’ shared history and continues to shape expectations for their current meeting.