One favourite down, Argentina is next to go
Senegal beat France to create one of the biggest World Cup shocks of all time, and crown a spectacular opening day to the 2002 tournament.
The unfancied African side, playing their first ever match in the World Cup finals, were expected to be pushed aside by the reigning World and European champions.
But Pape Bouba Diop's goal on 30 minutes handed victory to Senegal, a result which brought back memories of Cameroon's shock victory over Argentina in 1990.
Senegal's amazing win
It was a towering performance from the African side, who also hit the crossbar as France failed to find the form which has had many tipping them to lift the crown.
The stunning start to the tournament was an appropriate main course after the Koreans served up an explosive opening ceremony.
Hundreds of dancers and musicians performed in a dazzling display designed to symbolise yin and yang, and Korea past and present.
See pictures of the ceremony
Korea bursts into life
A young Korean fan enters into the spirit of the event
It was not all happiness and harmony, however.
Sepp Blatter, controversially re-elected as Fifa president this week, received a mixed reception, with an element of the crowd heckling him with derisory whistles.
"The players will present to the whole world, the football drama of joy and passion in a spirit of fair play," he said.
Both the Japanese prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi and the Korean president Kim Dae-Jung addressed the crowd, the latter speaking of the great honour of hosting the tournament.
The massed ranks of dancers then performed a spectacular, intricately choreographed dance to traditional Korean music.
Korean drummers then joined in as the spectacle - which has been practised for three years by the dancers and musicians - became more energetic.
The show, which cost an estimated £5.5m to stage, then transformed into a kaleidoscopic celebration of Korea's technological innovation.
Thirty-two teams are competing for the biggest prize in football.
After France's humiliation, Argentina will take over as favourites for the cup, with Italy not far behind.
Senegal's fans added to the atmosphere of the occasion
Four-time winners Brazil have had a turbulent build-up, but could yet spark into life and restore some of the pride lost in the 1998 final defeat to France.
Spain are well fancied - but they need to rid themselves of their reputation as perennial under-achievers.
Other highly-rated teams include Portugal, England, Sweden, Nigeria, Cameroon.
The tournament will be graced by many of the world's greatest players including Beckham, Figo, Totti, Raul, Ronaldo, Veron, Owen and Crespo.
Security will be tight in the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks in the United States.
No-fly zones have been declared over the grounds and the teams are protected by phalanxes of security guards.
No matter how hard any other animal tries, it can never soar to the heights of the eagle
