Two-nil down after the first leg of a European qualification play-off versus Ukraine, it appeared the 1998 winners would not even make the trip to Brazil.
But Didier Deschamps' side have reversed their fortunes in stunning fashion since, winning the second encounter 3-0 before making a splash in the competition proper.
Indeed, they will face Germany in Friday's quarter-final on the back of three wins and a draw in four games so far.
"Of course I still have the rage inside me from that game," he said. "We all have a little bit of that rage inside of us."
"We're a very young team with new players," Sakho said. "We've instilled a new spirit into the team - off the pitch, first of all - and it reflects on the pitch.
"We know that Germany is a big team, a big football nation. But we're also very good and I believe in us."
