Senegal, which is ranked 42nd in the world by FIFA, got the only goal they would need in the group-A match when midfielder Papa Bouba Diop tapped in a rebound while virtually sliding on his back, at the 30-minute mark of the first half. The win by Senegal has left many observers wondering whether France, the number one ranked squad in the world, has what it takes to even get into the second round.

Senegal was not intimidated by the defending champions and played a very smart game offensively and defensively, putting the French players on their heels with sharp counterattacks throughout the game. France played without its star player, Zinedine Zidane, for the entire game as he is out with a hamstring injury.

In the second half, France took the game to Senegal, creating a number of good scoring chances, but Senegal goalkeeper Tony Sylva was equal to the task each and every time. Sylva also got some help from the goal post as French strikers David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry both hit the post on long shots.

Although it drizzled for most of the match, this didn't stop the faithful from coming out to watch the first match of the first World Cup to be held in Asia, let alone Korea, as the attendance was announced at more than 65,000. Moreover, thousands of Koreans gathered in downtown Seoul to watch the match outside on the large-scale digital screens atop the buildings. Some even had plastic chairs set up and watched the game with a lager in hand.

As well, before the start of the match, Korean President Kim Dae-jung, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter set the tone for the rest of the World Cup games with inspiring speeches, wishing this year's tournament great success and peace in the world. (Glen Choi, glen@chosun.com )