Lemerre watches his team go out (Allsport).

France coach Roger Lemerre conceded his star-studded Les Bleus had only themselves to blame after they failed to clear the first hurdle of the World Cup's group stage.

France, who rose to the top of world football at France 98 and stayed at the summit by capturing the Euro 2000 title, were favourites to retain their world crown at Japan and Korea.

However, they lost their first World Cup game against Senegal, managed only a scoreless draw against Uruguay before bowing out today in humiliating fashion against Denmark, beaten 2-0.

Lemerre, the coach of the European Championship-winning side, said: "We have to say things like they are. We didn't live up to expectations. There is nothing to say.

"We didn't deserve to qualify for the second phase."

France needed to beat Denmark by two goals, but they spurned numerous chances against the Danes.

Lemerre did not have the suspended Thierry Henry and Emmanuel Petit, but Zinedine Zidane did return to the line-up after missing the first two games through injury.

And the presence of Juventus star David Trezeguet, and French sensation Djibril Cisse for most of the second half, did give the coach some hope. But the goals never came.

"We had a little chance and tried with maximum preparation," Lemerre said.

"I don't want to blame anyone.

"We should have been present right from the start and it was difficult, and it meant something wasn't right.

"We also have to admit all of the injuries we've had never allowed us to reach 100 percent of our potential."

The loss of creative winger Robert Pires of Arsenal before the tournament did not help.

"There is no desperate feeling at the moment," Lemerre told French television.

"It was a difficult situation, but the team will bounce back.

"We've got a lot of young players who will be able to do well in the future."

The embarrassment of failing to score a single goal at the World Cup is sure to heap pressure on Lemerre.

"My situation is not the most important thing at the moment," Lemerre said.

"My job is the most beautiful job in the world.

"I have to accept the defeat as I would have accepted the victory."

Denmark coach Morten Olsen praised his team for the way they never gave France a glimpse of the two-goal victory they needed.

Instead it was the Danes who recorded the 2-0 win with goals from Dennis Rommedahl and Jon Dahl Tommasson.

Olsen said: "My team played with a lot of discipline and a lot of confidence.

"Although we were very well organised defending, we also played some good passing football.

"We knew France would have had a confidence boost with Zidane back but we marked him very well.

"I do not think you can defend against France if it is not the whole team that defends.

"Our only forward Tomasson worked and defended as much as anyone else."

Denmark will now face the runners-up in England's group, but Olsen did not have any preference about who they would rather meet.

He said: "The important thing from our point of view was just that we got through."