France dominated the action but could not get a shot into Uruguay’s goal, as the two teams played to a 0-0 draw in the second game of the World Cup’s opening day. The second draw of tournament leaves all four teams in Group A with one point.
Both France and Uruguay had to deal with a slippery field, which made long passes more difficult to handle, and neither team was able to find the net despite some promising showings on both sides.
Uruguay's Nicolas Lodeiro was given a red card and tossed in the 81st minute, but France was unable to capitalize as Sidney Govou's short-range shot was stopped by Uruguay's Fernando Muslera in the closing minutes.
Player of the Game
Fernando Muslera, Uruguay.
The goalkeeper’s stop on Sidney Govou's shot in the closing minutes helped Uruguay escape with a hard-fought draw against a powerful French squad. Needless to say, it could have been a lot worse for the Uruguayans, but they still have a shot to advance in a wide-open group.
Scoring Breakdown
France took seven shots, while Uruguay had 20, but neither was able to capitalize. The best chances came on Govou's closing shot that was saved, and a free kick from France's Yoann Gourcuff that was also saved. Uruguay's Diego Forlan had an open shot from 15 yards in the 72nd minute but sent it just wide.
Notes
Uruguay's Nicolas Lodeiro’s red card wasn’t the only card handed out, as the teams amassed six yellow cards. Lodeiro, Mauricio Victorino and Diego Lugano were penalized for Uruguay. Patrice Evra, Franck Ribery and Jeremy Toulalan were punished for France.
Next
Uruguay takes on host South Africa on Wednesday, June 16, at 2:30 p.m. ET in Pretoria. France, the 2006 runner-up, faces Mexico on Thursday, June 17, at 2:30 p.m. in Johannesburg.
