Center

Ten-man Uruguay held 0-0 with France in World Cup

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-06-12 09:15

France's Sidney Govou (L) and Uruguay's Diego Forlan fight for the ball during the 2010 World Cup Group A soccer match at Green Point stadium in Cape Town June 11, 2010. [Agencies]

After the interval, a fantastic touch from Forlan after a hoofed clearance made Uruguay fans stand up. Forlan took the ball on his chest and maneuvered into some space before blasting his volley over.

The French supporters erupted when Henry and then Malouda came on. When Lodeiro was out, all French fans stood up and anticipated a last minute goal. However, Henry's injury-time free kick missed the target.

Although Uruguay fought to the end to avoid a loss, they failed to notch a long-awaited win.

In their last 14 games at the FIFA World Cup, Uruguay only managed one win, a last minute victory over South Korea in 1990. However, the man in charge on that evening was current coach Oscar Tabarez.

Moreover, Uruguay made their return to the FIFA World Cup exactly eight years after their last match on June 11, 2002, when they came from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with Senegal.

Today, also in Group A, host South Africa had pulled out a 1-1 tie with Mexico on Friday in the 2010 World Cup opener.

Both Domenech and Tabarez pointed out that as the four teams in Group A all got one point today, the second round would be very tough and deciding.