Cape Town - The first half in the Group A match between France and Uruguay was pretty much a snoozer. Only one chance was taken on goal by either side. France’s quality chance for Gourcuff, a curling, driven free kick headed for the top corner, was more interesting and dangerous. Forlan did a good job of holding up the ball for Uruguay, but when he got the ball there was little support for him. Although lots of tackling and jostling took place, there wasn’t much to see in the way of creative play. In fact what history will remember from the first half at the Green Point Stadium is that Ribery and Evra from France were both booked.
As the second half progressed you could see glimmers of the skill that players like Forlan, Gourcuff, Diaby, and Ribery have to offer. Everyone else seemed ordinary through 61 minutes. On 71 minutes neither side was any closer to scoring a goal. At the 72nd minute Henry replaced Anelka for Les Bleus. France clearly hoping that Thierry Henry has some of the old goal scoring magic left in his bones. On 73 minutes Forlan missed a sitter, blazing it wide left of the French goal. It bears mentioning that the French goalkeeper Lloris, looked less than convincing in the two times he was called on to handle trouble. Uruguay’s Lodiero, seemingly trying to break Sanga’s leg with a heavy challenge to the ankle, earned his second booking in the few minutes since he had come on and was sent off. This reduced Uruguay to 10 men with Lodiero missing the rest of the match, and at least the next one. Gignac came on for Govou, a forward on for a midfielder on 85 minutes. In the second minute of stoppage time, France was awarded a free kick as Diaby was adjudged to be fouled by Lugano. The free kick was placed just to the left of the restraining arc. Henry took the kick for France and the effort was blocked by a defender leaping in the wall. It was the last kick of the game. The match ended nil-nil and deservedly so. All four Group A teams earned a point from the first of three group matches.
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I work in San Francisco, near the French hotel district and Chinatown. You can tell something important involving football is happening: lots of men in random jerseys, and the occasional loud noise from the local Irish Bar, the Irish Bank. Yea! Aww!
http://gawker.com/5561444/rabid-world-cup-fans-show-national-pride-general-insanity/gallery/
Hope this works. Great fan photos!
France ultimately embarrassed themselves at this year's World Cup. Uruguay may yet be going to the finals, they are looking pretty good.
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