France's opening game of the World Cup ended in a largely uninspiring 0-0 stalemate versus Uruguay, who were reduced to 10 men.
Uruguay end Group A clash with 10 men as France fail to convince
France's opening game of the 2010 World Cup ended in a largely uninspiring 0-0 stalemate against Group A opponents Uruguay, who will undoubtedly be the happier with the result after finishing the game with 10 men.
In an encounter that failed to live up to the drama earlier in the day in Johannesburg, the French and Uruguayans joined South Africa and Mexico on a point apiece.
Sidney Govou spurned the match's best chance during the early exchanges before their South American counterparts grew in confidence only to later see Nicolas Lodeiro receive the tournament's first red card.
Abou Diaby was the surprise inclusion in France's starting XI with the Arsenal player slotting into a three-man midfield - Florent Malouda losing out following reports of a dispute with manager Raymond Domenech. Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez, meanwhile, named his side on Thursday.
Seven minutes into the game came the first real chance. Diaby did well to turn and lose his man centrally and then feed Franck Ribery, who got a tad fortunate with his dribbling before firing low across goal only for Govou to squirt an arguable sitter wide of the far post.
Forlan factor
Forlan continued the confidence of his fine season at club level for Atletico Madrid when on 16 minutes he attempted a right-footed drive at goal which drew a parried save from French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who earlier unconvincingly dealt with a bouncing ball.
Les Bleus then responded with a chance of their own as Yoann Gourcuff ambitiously shot a free-kick at goal from a very tight angle, forcing keeper Fernando Muslera into an acrobatic right-wristed save. Moments later, Ribery was shown the second yellow card of the game after Patrice Evra had previously been cautioned for a similar pulling-back offence.
Diaby continued his impressive showing on 31 minutes when he galloped past a succession of challenges before threading in Govou. But an offside Nicolas Anelka nipped in ahead of the Lyon winger, bringing an end to a chance of a clean run in on goal, much to the disdain of Domenech.
The first half ended with a damp squib. Forlan huffed and puffed from deep while his attacking counterpart Suarez struggled to remain onside. For France, who were marginally the better side in the first 45 minutes, Anelka saw a header flash harmlessly wide before Japanese referee Yuici Nishimura called an end to a goalless period.
Uruguay began the second period the brighter as Arevalo Rios' first-time pop from outside of the area lacked a pure connection and skimmed wide. Then just a minute later, Forlan threatened but was forced wide by William Gallas as the former's hit zoomed high and wide.
Domenech decisions
After a slow start after the interval from France, Domenech's men steadily upped their tempo. In the 56th minute, Toulalan tried a hugely ambitious effort from around 40 yards out which was comfortably dealt with by Muslera, before Cesareo Victorino went into the book for a challenge on the advanced Evra.
Tabarez moved to alter the pattern of the game when he brought on Lodeiro in the 63rd minute, but the playmaker's first taste of action resulted in a booking. Nonetheless, Uruguay continued to pose a half-threat to Lloris' goal, with Forlan firing a free-kick down the throat of the keeper before Suarez was penalised for a barging the Lyon shot-stopper.
Then it was Domenech's turn to make a change, an arguably overdue one, when Thierry Henry replaced Anelka on 72 minutes. Yet it were Uruguay who again went the closest, this time Forlan lashing wide when he should have done better after a loose ball fell to his feet.
France then opted to bring on the out-of-favour Malouda, who wasted no time in smashing a strike, seemingly out of frustration, wide of the goal. And the French were handed greater momentum when Lodeiro received his marching orders after being handed a second yellow card for a crude tackle on Bacary Sagna.
The dismissal forced Domenech's last throw of the dice as Andre-Pierre Gignac entered the fray. Les Bleus' numerical advantage saw them dominate possession but with little penetration, and their hopes of a late victory evaporated when referee Nishimura confidently waved away appeals for a penalty as Henry's shot appeared to clip Victorino's hand.
