France's dream of retaining the World Cup was finally shattered today after a stunning 2-0 defeat to Denmark.

The result left the reigning World and European champions rock bottom of a group they were expected to win.

Having lost their opening game to African new boys Senegal, Roger Lemerre's side went on to take just one point from their three group phase games and failed to score.

The result left France with the unenviable distinction of being the first holders to fail to qualify from the first round since Brazil in 1966.

Denmark finished top of the group after their thoroughly deserved win in the Incheon Stadium today and now face a second round tie against the runners-up in England's group.

The holders could find no way through the well-organised Danes who played with a remarkable self-belief which was rewarded by opportunist strikes from Dennis Rommedahl and Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Even the return of Zinedine Zidane from injury, so often the inspiration, did not help Les Bleus.

Despite hugely unequal possession in their favour, and the majority of the chances, when it came to finding a finish there was only one team in it.

Denmark coach Morten Olsen fielded a defensive line-up knowing anything other than a defeat by two goals would see them qualify.

Playing Tomasson as a lone striker, Olsen packed the midfield and man-marked France's three key midfield men.

France dominated the opening 20 minutes without carving out a clear-cut opportunity but their hopes of staying in the tournament suffered a killer blow after the defence failed to clear their lines.

Stig Tofting spotted Rommedahl unmarked at the far post and delivered the perfect cross for the Dane to fire unerringly past Fabien Barthez.

Lady luck certainly hasn't shined on the holders this campaign, a fact summed up on 37 minutes when Zidane's delighfully curled chip went inches wide of Sorensen's far post.

France suffered a second shattering blow in the 67th minute when Tomasson put Denmark 2-0 up.

There was more than a little controversy over the goal - or there would have been had France any spirit left in them. As Chelsea winger Jesper Gronkjaer crossed, Tomasson appeared to pull back Desailly and then was free to steer the ball past Barthez.

France's luck was then summed up by three events in quick succession. First Sorensen spilled Djibril Cisse's effort from a tight angle but the ball bounced past the post into touch. Then Wiltord - France's liveliest player - spun and shot, but straight at the Danish keeper.

Finally, Wiltord's cross from the left was met first time by Zidane, but the ball struck the underside of the bar and bounced into Sorensen's arms.

Zidane whizzed a free-kick past the post, Cisse had Sorensen scampering across goal for a shot which went wide, but it was all to no avail.

As the whistle blew, the Danes celebrated a quite remarkable victory.

Les Bleus were left shellshocked and heading for the airport.