France draw with 10-man Uruguay

The second match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup ended scoreless between Uruguay and France, a tight game full of tension and few scoring opportunities. For me, these first two games are going to be the types we'll be seeing this World Cup: open free-flowing attacking games, and tight tense games where no team wants to concede.

Uruguay - France


While many think that France will be a train wreck (For many reasons, just ask the Irish) at the 2010 World Cup, in their first match of the tournament, they weren't as bad as predicted. Uruguay on the other hand are being touted to exit the group, but they were relatively disorganized and disappointing their first match.

It started with excitement, Sidney Govou barely missing a tap-in in the beginning minutes of the match raised the tension of the match. Soon after, Diego Forlan's curving shot from the edge of the area was well saved by Lloris, but sadly the tempo of the match lowered noticeably after the first two chances. While France tried to conjure something with a very disappointing Ribery, Uruguay were only held up by Forlan, and his strike partner Luis Suarez seemed to be crumbling under the pressure with his repetitive offsides. While France's 4-3-3 was relatively standard and organized with Anelka doing well to remain the center point of the attack, Uruguay's 3-4-1-2 was a messy situation. The midfield was stretched too far, allowing Diaby and Gourcuff to rise up and join the attack as France dominated possession.

While the second-half could've brought a renewed spark to a relatively boring game, it returned with the same slow tempo dominated by the Frenchmen. Then the substitutes added a bit of energy in the dying game, first the extremely promising 21 year-old Nicolas Lodeiro came on for Uruguay, adding a bit of faster tempo to Uruguay's game. Then, about 10 minutes later, Uruguay took off a very disappointing Suarez and put on Abreu, as France brought on Henry and Malouda for Gourcuff and Anelka.

It was 9 minutes from the end when Lodeiro was sent off for accumulation of yellows because of two reckless challenges, this allowed France to pile the pressure on the back three defenders of Uruguay. Gignac was brought on for Govou in the last five minutes, and it became time to see how disorganized France's attack could get. Although they kept possession, Uruguay were able to fend off any attacks with all eleven men in the box, eventually the final whistle sounded relieving the Uruguayan players from their defensive duties.

It was a tight match full of interesting things from the tactical perspective, but I hope that there are few more like this one. All of the teams in group A are tied with one point, if you're interested in the match report of the South Africa vs Mexico game, click here.

South Africa and Mexico draw 1-1 in World Cup opener

A truly fantastic match between Mexico and South Africa, the excitement and anticipation for the tournament seem wonderful in Johannesburg. There was some bad news before the game however, Nelson Mandela was unable to attend the opening ceremony because his great-granddaughter died in a car crash the night before the opener. A terrible tragedy which hopefully won't affect the spirit at the tournament.

South Africa - Mexico


Both teams entering the match on form, South Africa on a 12-match unbeaten streak, and Mexico just having beaten Italy in a friendly. Right away the match started with action, Mexico controlling the possession which eventually created a low cross which South Africa keeper Khune couldn't hold on to, and Dos Santos' followup was blocked by Mokoena. Soon after South Africa gave the ball away, and Giovani Dos Santos' shot curved wildly to balloon to the left of the goal. Mexico had another golden opportunity with Franco controlling a chipped ball in the box to try and tap it past Khune who did an excellent job to block the close range effort.

After the half things changed, we saw a less confident Mexico, and a more counter-attacking South Africa. In the 55th minute, a neat and tidy counter-attack by South Africa released Tshabalala 1 on 1 with Mexico keeper Perez; the South African rocketed the ball into the top right corner for a spectacular goal. The stadium went wild as the players celebrated in joy. Giovani Dos Santos continued to scare the South Africa defence with his dangerous dribbles which resulted in shots which Khune heroically saved, but other than that, Mexico were startled by the determined and organized South Africa which stood before them. But eventually in the 79th minute Mexico grabbed the deserved equalizer, Marquez along with two other Mexico players were unmarked as they received the cross, and the Barcelona defender thumped home the equalizer. After the goal there was plenty of tension, the sides were evenly matched, and in the dying minutes Mphela hit the post from a golden opportunity. A fantastic match full of emotions of joy and happiness, the first game of the 2010 South Africa World Cup ended 1-1.