On the opening day of this 2026 FIFA world Cup, hosts Mexico and South Africa reprised the opening day fixture of the 2010 edition held in South Africa. Today at NY/NJ MetLife Stadium, France and Senegal meet to repeat their 2002 World Cup clash at the Japan/South Korea hosted edition.
Back then, France, as holders and with the top scorers in England, Italy and France in their squad were favourites for the tournament, never mind this match with World Cup debutants, Senegal.
1998 hero, Zinedine Zidane got injured in a warm up game and was ruled out for this match. Shouldn’t be a problem, should it?
Well, El Hadji Diouf and his band of brothers were not going to wait to find out. As the sole striker in Bruno Metsu’s very physical 4-5-1 formation, he ran the channels brilliantly. On one of those runs, he left Frank Lebouf on his backside, drove in a cross that Fabian Barthez in goal for the World Champions and his fellow defenders didn’t know exactly what to do. The giant Pape Bouba Diop found a way to bundle the ball home. It proved to be the winner.
This Senegal, the African Champions, are one of the best teams the continent has produced in a long time. Like their predecessors in 2002, they are powerful, athletic and and play on the front foot.
Their weakness is in not having a prolific finisher. Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson is a willing runner but he is not that one to finish the only chance they might create in a match. Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace and one Sadio Mane help carry the goalscoring weight.
Had Randal Kolo Muani kept a cool head as the ball bounced kindly for him 4 years ago in Qatar, France would be entering this game as World Champions just as they were in 2002.
Emiliano Martinez made a remarkable block with his leg and further saves in the ensuing penalty shootout ensured that Lionel Messi and Argentina won the tournament.
Kylian Mbappe’s performance in that final has been downplayed because winners write the story, almost all the time. One gets the impression that The France captain – already a teenage World Cup winner – is going into this tournament with the aim and desire to win it and eventually, that elusive balon d’Or.
It is very difficult to find a weakness in the France squad at this tournament. Manager Didier Deschamps has been extremely fortunate to be blessed with an apparent limitless source of talent available to him. In every position.
In the friendly defeat to the Ivory Coast in Nantes, France could be forgiven for taking things easy with the tournament so close and players trying to steer clear of injuries.
Experienced World Cup watchers know the tournament can be “senseless” – Spain vs Cape Verde a case in point.
Key Battles: It was in January of 2023 that Michael Olise lashed into the roof of the net a freekick from a ridiculous distance leaving David de Gea flailing to rescue a point for Crystal Palace against Manchester United at the death. While there was bedlam at Selhurst Park that night, while his teammates were piling on him, Olise did not even manage a smile or an outward show of elation. He has not looked back since. His battle with West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf would hold the key to how this match will go. The full back is quick, he is tenacious in the tackle and does not shy in going forward.
France are one of the few teams who can be confident enough to say they can match Senegal physically in midfield. This is also where Deschamps would need to decide how to set his side up. Aurelien Tchouameni, N’Golo Kante could be guaranteed starters. Who the manager chooses between Adrien Rabiot or Rayan Cherki would show how he views the game. Senegal’s Mr consistency, Idrissa Gana Gueye, would be there to provide the shield for his defenders and experience needed for his younger team mates including the long striding Pape Gueye, he who battered home the AFCON winning goal on a rain swept night in Rabat. The midfield battle could be one for the ages.
Listening to Senegal’s Pape Thiaw in the pre-match press on Monday, you can see a man confident in his team and one who knows that they truly have no choice but to be bold as they step onto the MetLife Stadium.
One hopes for an exciting game with both teams going at it.
