Twenty-four years is a long time to carry a loss. France finally closed that chapter on Monday, defeating Senegal 3-1 at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey to settle one of football's most storied grudge matches.
The original wound dates back to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, when Senegal pulled off one of the tournament's greatest upsets, beating France in the opening match. That result sent shockwaves through the football world and announced the Lions of Teranga to a global audience in the most dramatic way possible.
This time, Les Bleus had the last word. The 3-1 scoreline tells its own story, a convincing win that will feel significant for a French squad that has carried the memory of that 2002 defeat through multiple generations of players.
For Senegal, the loss stings, but their legacy from 2002 remains untouched. The question now is what these two sides do next in the tournament.
Originally published by AllAfrica · info@allafrica.com (allAfrica).