World Cup History: 5 Top Teams that were Knocked Out in the Group Stages

#2 France (2002)

Defending World Cup and Euro champions France were knocked out early in 2002

2010 was not the only time in recent history where France failed to get out of their World Cup group. They were the first victims of the Champions’ Curse as they fell at the first obstacle in Japan and South Korea.

France had won the 1998 World Cup on home soil and then Euro 2000 with a golden goal from David Trezeguet against Italy. They were riding high with Zinedine Zidane at the heart of the creative midfield. Like Germany this year, France were the hot favourites to go again and win it all.

However, Zidane suffered a quadriceps injury in a friendly just days before the World Cup began. They were going to be without their talisman for at least the first two group games.

The champions began their defence against Senegal, whose pace caught France out many times and troubled them to their core. A 1-0 win would lay down the marker for further success for Senegal, but it was the cause of abject disappointment for the French.

Youri Djorkaeff, who played a pivotal role in the success of the French in the past, was not up to it anymore and he was dropped, but it did not change much. A red card for Thierry Henry against Uruguay seemed to seal their fate, as they just managed to draw 0-0.

Zidane was back for their final group game against Denmark but it would not matter, as Les Bleus lost 2-0 in a must-win game. It was a case of excessive fatigue among the players.

They had all gone through a gruelling club season and could not do the job for their country. This was not a disgrace like 2010, rather a disappointment after such unheralded success, and the tired legs more than played a part in it.