Republic of Ireland are through to the second round after they saw of World Cup whipping boys Saudi Arabia 3-0 in Yokohama.

Robbie Keane, Gary Breen and Damian Duff grabbed the goals which takes Mick McCarthy's men through to the last 16 where they'll play Spain or South Africa.

Saudi, whose other defeats included an 8-0 drubbing to Germany and 1-0 loss to Cameroon, were behind after just seven minutes thanks to Robbie Keane's volley.

Breen made it two when he sneaked ahead of the Saudi defence to steer the ball past Mohammad Al-Deayea.

Dunn added a third when Al-Deayea failed to hold on to what should have been a straightforward catch.

In the other Group E game Germany overcame Cameroon 2-0 in a stormy encounter in Shizuoka.

Germany's Carsten Ramelow was dismissed for a second bookable offence five minutes before half-time after bringing down Samuel Eto'o on the edge of the area.

Carsten Jancker was replaced by Marco Bode at half-time and the substitute took just five minutes to get on the scoresheet when he slipped the ball past Boukar Alioum after good work by Miroslav Klose.

Patrick Suffo levelled the numbers when he was dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 77th minute and two minutes later Klose wrapped things up when he added a second for Germany, heading home Michael Ballack's cross.

Earlier today, defending champions France crashed out of the World Cup after they were beaten 2-0 by Denmark in Incheon.

Goals from Dennis Rommedahl and Jon Dahl Tomasson sent the Danes into the last 16 and ensured Les Bleus would be going home early after a disastrous tournament which began with a shock defeat to Senegal.

Even with Zinedine Zidane back in the French line-up Roger Lemerre's side found themsleves one-down after just 20 minutes.

Stig Tofting's cross was met by the unmarked Rommedahl, who prodded home past Fabian Barthez.

After the break France went in desperate search of an equaliser but it was the Danes who managed to find the net again when Tomasson was fed in by Chelsea's Jesper Gronkjaer before slotting past Barthez from eight yards out.

The defeat means France became only the third defending champions ever to go out in the first group stages.

Meanwhile, Senegal booked their place in the second round after a 3-3 draw with Uruguay in Suwon.

A late penalty from Alvaro Recoba completed an extraordinary come back from the South Americans who were 3-0 down at half-time.

In the 20th minute Senegal were awarded a penalty when El Hadji Diouf appeared to be brought down by 'keeper Fabian Carini, although replays showed that no contact had been made between the stopper and Diouf.

Khalilou Fadiga converted from the spot amid protests from the Uruguayan players.

Senegal doubled their advantage five minutes later as Bouba Diop sidefooted into the roof of the net from Henri Camara's cross from the left.

Diop added his second in the 38th minute he met another Camara cross, this time smashing his shot in off the bar.

Richard Morales pulled a goal back for Uruguay just after the break and Manchester United striker Diego Forlan made it 3-2 with a superb volley in the 68th minute.

Recoba completed an amazing comeback when he put away a penalty in the 88th minute after Morales had been updended.

Morales was then presented with a glorious opportunity to make it 4-3 but he made a hash of a header when it looked harder to miss.