Senegal put on a valiant performance to defeat a highly anticipated Sweden team in their first World Cup last-16 match 20 years ago.
On December 4, Senegal will take the field in just their second-ever FIFA World CupTM round of 16 game.
In 2002, a team led by Henri Camara defeated Sweden in a 2-1 extra-time victory.
When they play England, the current generation hopes to draw motivation from the performance.
Senegal has returned to the top table of world football after a 20-year absence, and the Lions of Teranga definitely don’t seem out of place among the game’s giants.
After navigating their way out of Group A, the defending CAF Africa Cup of Nations winners have already improved upon their showing at the 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM, and Aliou Cisse’s players are now allowing themselves to dream big.
The West Africans, who have only once previously advanced to this level of the tournament, had pleasant recollections of the team’s performance on Qatari soil.
A spectacular day at Japan’s Oita Stadium saw the surprise package from the group stage of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/JapanTM deliver another eye-catching performance to cause a last 16 shock.
On June 16, 2002, at the Big Eye, Aliou Cisse led the Lions of Teranga out in preparation for a match against an equally powerful Sweden team rather than the current UEFA EURO runners-up, as they would do tomorrow.
The Scandinavians, led by Henrik Larsson, Marcus Allback, and a young Zlatan Ibrahimovic, had their sights set on a spot in the final eight.
Senegal shocked the football world by earning an unexpected victory, made possible by Camara’s golden goal after the spirited match ended 1-1 in regular time, despite the Blgult being heavy favorites.
Although it didn’t quite live up to the tournament-opening victory over France, many Senegalese supporters view that thrilling victory over Sweden as the most important result in the history of the team.
Then-Senegal coach Bruno Metsu said in his post-match press conference, “It was such a chaotic game and a wonderful encounter for our supporters.”
Henrik Larsson, Marcus Allback, and a youthful Zlatan Ibrahimovic led the Scandinavian team, which had its sights set on advancing to the round of eight.
Despite the Blgult being strong favorites, Senegal stunned the football world by claiming an unexpected victory, which was made possible by Camara’s overtime goal.
Many Senegalese fans consider the dramatic victory over Sweden to be the most significant result in the team’s history, despite the fact that it didn’t quite live up to the tournament-opening triumph over France.
In his post-game press conference, then-Senegal coach Bruno Metsu remarked, “It was such a crazy game and a wonderful experience for our supporters.”
El Hadji Diouf told The Guardian, “It was a tough game and both teams gave it their all to win it. We demonstrated that we were more than simply friends; we were brothers who were committed to advancing to the quarterfinals.
The current Senegal team has a great example to follow as they strive to defeat the Three Lions and emulate their performance from the 2002 tournament.
“Everything is set for the game. Our objective for this competition was to advance, so getting out of the group wasn’t it “Idrissa Gana Gueye, who is suspended, will not compete in the round of 16, it was announced. The star of Marseille, Pape Gueye, continued, “We never give up and have shown great mental strength so far.