Yokohama, Japan ? France no longer rules the soccer universe. Put it down near the bottom with Saudi Arabia, Slovenia and China, all eliminated in the first round of the World Cup.

France has another ignominious statistic: like the Saudis and Chinese, it didn’t score in the tournament.

Denmark's dennis romedahl, left, knocks the ball past French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez. Denmark eliminated France, 2-0, Tuesday at Incheon, South Korea.

The defending champions needed to beat Denmark by two goals Tuesday to reach the World Cup’s second round. Instead, the Danes won 2-0 in Incheon, South Korea, and Les Bleus became the first champions to go scoreless through a first round. They’re also the first defending titlist to exit after the opening round since Brazil in 1966.

“I didn’t expect to go back home like that after the first round,” midfielder Zinedine Zidane said. “We’re all very, very disappointed, but we won’t stop here.”

When asked what he had gotten out of this World Cup, he replied: “Nothing.”

Just like the French offense.

“We didn’t play as we should have,” coach Roger Lemerre said. “We must accept it as it is.”

As painful as it is.

With Zidane, the 1998 World Cup hero, on the sideline with a thigh injury, France opened with a stunning 1-0 loss to Senegal and then tied Uruguay 0-0. Zidane returned for the Denmark game, but nothing helped the French, who saw two shots rebound off the crossbar.

At the end, Zidane walked off the field with his head hanging down, followed by the rest of the French team.

Thousands of traveling Les Bleus fans fell silent, while Danish fans in the opposite corner of the stadium beat on drums and sang “Ole, Ole, Ole.”

The Danes got goals from Dennis Rommedahl in the 22nd minute and Jon Dahl Tomasson on a counterattack in the 67th. Those were their only shots on goal.

“We had a good day,” coach Morten Olsen said. “The team played with a lot of confidence and, especially, a lot of discipline.”

Back in Paris, some reactions to the French loss were strong.

“I’m disgusted. They are the defending champions, and for four years they bragged and did nothing,” said architect Alain Goust, 32, as he held a French flag. “When they arrive back at the Champs Elysees, they’re going to have tomatoes thrown at them.”

They were throwing parties in Senegal, Ireland and Germany, as well as Denmark, after those four nations moved into the round of 16. Those four joined four-time winner Brazil and Spain in moving ahead.

While the Danes won Group A, tournament newcomer Senegal rode three first-half goals into the next round. The Africans took a 3-0 lead and barely held on for a 3-3 tie against Uruguay in Suwon, South Korea.

Denmark plays Saturday in Niigata, Japan, against either England, Sweden or Argentina. Senegal plays Sunday in Oita, Japan, against one of those teams.

Germany, despite playing the final 50 minutes a man down when Carsten Ramelow was ejected at Shizuoka, Japan, knocked out Cameroon 2-0 on goals by Marco Bode and Miroslav Kohse. The Germans will play Saturday at Seogwipo, South Korea, against either Spain, South Africa or Paraguay.

Ireland defeated Saudi Arabia 3-0 in Yokohama to finish second to Germany in Group E. The Irish, who had never scored more than one goal in a World Cup game, will oppose either Spain or South Africa in Suwon, South Korea, on Sunday.