MY HOMEPAGE

FRANCE vs URUGUAY

Match Report below

Match Stats: -

MAN OF THE MATCH: Paolo Montero (Uruguay)

Teams:

France: 
             Barthez 
             Lizarazu 
             Desailly 
             Leboeuf (Candela 16) 
             Thuram 
             Vieira 
             Micoud 
             Petit 
             Henry 
             Wiltord (Dugarry 90) 
             Trezeguet (Cisse 80).

Subs Not Used: 
             Boghossian 
             Christanval 
             Coupet 
             Djorkaeff 
             Makelele 
             Rame 
             Sagnol 
             Silvestre 
            Zidane
.
Sent Off: Henry (25).
Booked: Petit

Uruguay:
               Carini 
               Lembo 
               Montero 
               Sorondo 
               Rodriguez (Guigou  72) 
               Varela 
               Romero (de los Santos 71) 
               Garcia 
               Recoba 
               Silva (Magallanes 59) 
               Abreu

Subs Not Used: 
               Bizera 
               Elduayen 
               Forlan 
               Mendez 
               Morales 
               Munua 
               O'Neill 
               Olivera 
               Regueiro

Booked: Garcia, Romero, Abreu, Silva

Att: 38,289
Referee: F Ramos Rizo (Mexico)

Match Report:  -

 The first 0-0 draw of the world cup although there could have so easily been many goals in this match. It was a game that both teams needed to win to stay in the competition. France started strongly and broke forward only to find a goal ruled out for offside. Uruguay and France still have it all to do.
 
Uruguay then won a free kick out on the left near the 18 yard box, where Recoba put a poor ball to the edge of the box, Henry won it but had a poor touch and lost it he was then sent off after diving in showing all 6 studs on the bottom of his boot to try and win the ball back, but it was obvious he was not going for the ball. Deservedly a red card was shown. France were down to 10 men and they had it all to do. 

The game began to hot up and it saw scuffles, fouls, and often diving from the Uruguayan players. The only thing that could stop these awful tackles was the whistle of the referee to signal half time. The game needed a break as Henry may well not have been the only player to see red. 

After the break, France showed their style and it took saves from the Uruguayan keeper and the defence to stop them. Two clear cut chances came right at the death after 90 minutes, Wiltord broke free, but hesitated his shot and so gave the Uruguayan defender plenty of time to get across and superbly block the shot.

Then at the other end, Recoba broke loose and sent a ball up, one bounce and it was flicked into the strikers path who struck it sweetly but was denied by a brilliant save from Barthez who kept France in the competition.

Maybe a draw was a fair result, but credit to France as they battled hard with only 10 men.