Former world champions France and Uruguay battled their way to a goalless stalemate in a dour match dominated by defences in Group A of the World Cup on Friday.
France, with midfielder Yoann Gourcuff and winger Franck Ribery prominent, put on a lot of early pressure, but once Uruguay gained their measure, the game settled into a dull affair with few chances.
Uruguay, who launched a few raids of their own, invariably through striker Diego Forlan, ended the match with 10 men after substitute Nicolas Lodeiro was sent off for a second yellow card after a foul on Bacary Sagna.
In the opening match of the World Cup, also in Group A, hosts South Africa drew 1-1 with Mexico in a much more exciting encounter. — Reuters