EAST RUTHERFORD, United States (AFP) — France come into this year’s FIFA World Cup as one of the leading contenders for the trophy having reached the final of the last two editions, but Tuesday’s opponents in their opening game, Senegal, serve as a warning of the dangers of overconfidence.

Les Bleus entered the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea as overwhelming favourites to retain the title they had won four years earlier.

But, hindered by an injury to Zinedine Zidane, they suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Senegal in Seoul and never recovered, crashing out in the group stage without scoring a goal.