The 1998 World Champions France went out of the World Cup after losing 2-0 to Denmark in their final group game on 11 June 2002. Before the game France needed to win 2-0 to qualify for the second stage - once Denmark scored in the 22nd minute, however, France never looked like they would win the game by the required margin. The last time the World Cup holders failed to get past the first stage of the next World Cup was in 1966 when Brazil went out early on.

The French team was Barthez, Candela, Thuram, Dessailly, Lizarazu, Viera (Micoud 71), Makelele, Dugarry (D Cisse 54), Wiltord (Djorkaeff 82), Trezeguet, Zidane

The Danish team was Sorensen, Tofting (Nielsen 79), Henrikson, Laursen, Helveg, Gravesen, Tomasson, Jorgensen (Gronkjaer 45), Niclas Jensen, Poulsen (Bogelund 75), Rommedahl

Denmark followed Senegal and Uruguay's lead by outnumbering France in midfield. Thierry Henry and Emmanuel Petit were not available for France through suspension. Zinedine Zidane did play after recovering from his thigh injury which had kept him out of the past couple of games but was clearly not fully fit.

After 22 minutes of the game, Dennis Rommedahl received a cross from the right from Stig Tofting and fired home unmarked to give Denmark the lead.

Zidane then put a great shot just wide from outside the penalty area and Dessailly headed a Zidane corner onto the crossbar just after half time.

After 67 minutes, substitute Jesper Gronkjaer crossed from the left wing to Jon Dahl Tomasson - Tomasson got past Dessailly who fell over under the challenge and easily scored his fourth goal of the tournament past the French goalkeeper, Fabien Barthez.

Cisse then had a shot that was only just saved by Sorensen and Trezeguet also hit the underside of the crossbar but France were destined not to score in this World Cup.

Denmark could have got another goal late on but their 2-0 win was enough to qualify top of Group A. Senegal drew with Uruguay 3-3 at the same time and so came second in this group.

See all the results in the World Cup 2002 and the final tables here.