Group A of the 2002 FIFA World Cup began on 31 May 2002, and concluded on 11 June 2002. The group contained 1998 winners, France, two-time winners Uruguay, Denmark and FIFA World Cup debutants Senegal.
From the outset, it was apparent that the group would not pan out as expected, as Senegal beat France 1–0 in the opening match of the tournament. France followed this with a draw against Uruguay, in a match in which their star striker, Thierry Henry was sent off, before rounding out the group with another defeat to Denmark. Senegal's other two matches finished as draws, including a well-earned point against Denmark, and a bad-tempered game against Uruguay, in which 12 players were booked.
Denmark started the group well, beating Uruguay in Ulsan, before a late Senegal equaliser in Daegu prevented them from qualifying for the Round of 16 with a game to spare. Instead, they were forced to play France knowing that a draw would see them through to the next round. They won the game, 2–0, and finished top of the group, thanks to Senegal's draw with Uruguay.
Uruguay, as dark horses of the group, never really got going, their high point being a goalless draw with a sub-par France side. However, they did manage to put three goals past Senegal in a high-scoring draw, but their loss to Denmark in their opening game had dashed any hopes they may have had of qualifying for the Round of 16.
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| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
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| Denmark | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 7 |
| Senegal | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 5 |
| Uruguay | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 2 |
| France | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | −3 | 1 |
All times local (UTC+9)
| 31 May 2002 20:30 |
France | 0 – 1 | Senegal | Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul Attendance: 62,561 Referee: Ali Bujsaim (United Arab Emirates) |
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| Report | Bouba Diop 30' |
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Man of the Match: Assistant referees: |
| 1 June 2002 18:00 |
Uruguay | 1 – 2 | Denmark | Munsu Cup Stadium, Ulsan Attendance: 30,157 Referee: Saad Mane (Kuwait) |
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| Rodríguez 47' | Report | Tomasson 45', 83' |
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Man of the Match: Assistant referees: |
| 6 June 2002 15:30 |
Denmark | 1 – 1 | Senegal | Daegu World Cup Stadium, Daegu Attendance: 43,500 Referee: Carlos Alberto Batres (Guatemala) |
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| Tomasson 16' (pen.) | Report | Diao 52' |
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Man of the Match: Assistant referees: |
| 6 June 2002 20:30 |
France | 0 – 0 | Uruguay | Busan Asiad Main Stadium, Busan Attendance: 38,289 Referee: Felipe Ramos (Mexico) |
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Man of the Match: Assistant referees: |
| 11 June 2002 15:30 |
Denmark | 2 – 0 | France | Incheon Munhak Stadium, Incheon Attendance: 48,100 Referee: Vítor Melo Pereira (Portugal) |
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| Rommedahl 22' Tomasson 67' |
Report |
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Man of the Match: Assistant referees: |
| 11 June 2002 15:30 |
Senegal | 3 – 3 | Uruguay | Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon Attendance: 33,681 Referee: Jan Wegereef (Netherlands) |
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| Fadiga 20' (pen.) Bouba Diop 26', 38' |
Report | Morales 46' Forlán 69' Recoba 88' (pen.) |
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Man of the Match: Assistant referees: |
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