Djorkaeff, who ended the season at Bolton, was handed the onerous task of replacing the injured Zinedine Zidane, while Henry and Wiltord had been detailed to slot in on the left and right flanks respectively.

Frank Leboeuf, the former Chelsea defender now at Marseille, was the only member of the starting XI playing club football in his home country.

By contrast every single one of the Senegal side, and nine of the substitutes, were from French clubs.

Senegal were making their World Cup finals debut, with striker El Hadji Diouf and midfielder Khalilou Fadiga the creative hearts of the team.