Denmark 2 France 0
Defending champions France were eliminated from the World Cup today after slumping to a 2-0 defeat against Denmark.
France are the first reigning champions to be eliminated in the first phase since Brazil in 1966.
The pre-tournament favourites had recalled injured superstar Zinedine Zidane for the match.
But France, who needed to win by two clear goals to reach the last 16, were left shell-shocked midway through the first half when Dennis Rommedahl scored on 22 minutes.
As France rallied for an equaliser in the second half they got caught on the break and AC Milan-bound Jon Dahl-Tomasson was on hand to side-foot home his fourth goal of the tournament on 67 minutes.
France's elimination brings to an end an unprecedented era of success for 'Les Bleus', World Cup winners in 1998 and European Champions in 2000.
Denmark had few shots on goal throughout the 90 minutes, as France dominated both possession and territory. But French coach Roger Lemerre saw his side's hopes snuffed out by a magnificent Danish midfield display.
Stringing a thin red line across the middle of the pitch and dropping deep to defend in numbers whenever France had possession, Denmark simply smothered the life out of their opponents.
Everton midfielder Thomas Gravesen and Bolton Wanderers' hardman Stig Tofting put in towering performances, tackling tigerishly and harassing the French midfield into giving the ball away cheaply.
Denmark had taken the lead after a sloppy piece of play by France's defence when they failed to deal with an unpromising Danish attack.
The ball rolled to Tofting on the edge of the area, and he had all the time in the world to float a pinpoint cross to the back post, where Rommedahl's shot on the half-volley gave Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez no chance.
Zidane, with heavy-strapping on his injured left thigh, had one agonising chance on 36 minutes when his exquisite chip from outside the area went inches wide.
Trezeguet also raised French hopes, testing Sorensen with an early shot after being put through by Wiltord. Trezeguet also went close with a header after half an hour.
Yet despite dominating possession, France were unable to penetrate Denmark's rugged midfield, with Gravesen working tirelessly to harry the French.
Wiltord lashed in a low effort from outside the area just before half-time, but Sunderland keeper Sorensen got down smartly to save.
France pressed desperately for an equaliser after half-time, captain Marcel Desailly hitting the bar with a header early on and Sylvain Wiltord and David Trezeguet both going close.
France substitute Djibril Cisse saw a spectacular late effort squirt out of Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen's grasp and trickle past the post.