French drama brings tense finale

Desailly and Vieira show their disappointment

By Stuart Roach Busan Asiad Main Stadium, Korea

Yet again, the French served up more drama at this World Cup.

But there was so much bad acting and unbelievable twists on display, it was more like a soap opera than a drama.

Uruguay rolled France to the verge of World Cup elimination - but not before they had rolled, back-flipped and somersaulted their own way to their first World Cup point.

Such a different spectacle from the one Busan had hosted 48 hours earlier.

France-Uruguay in pictures

Co-hosts Korea had raised the roof at the Asiad Main Stadium as they celebrated their first ever World Cup win.

But this was not so much a party as a wake as the World Cup prepared to bid farewell to its king.

The world champions' miserable tournament continued as they followed Friday's defeat at the hands of Senegal by having Thierry Henry sent off in an uninspiring goalless draw against Uruguay.

That leaves the French wobbling precariously above the black, black hole of World Cup elimination.

Micoud could not spark a French goal

Henry's instant red card for a 26th-minute lunge at Marcelo Romero was the catalyst.

Ironic, given that few could remember another serious French foul during the entire 90 minutes.

Uruguay, though, were consistently spiteful as they looked to slow the game and catch France napping.

And then there was the Uruguayans' play-acting.

Mercurial front-man Dario Silva, strike partner Sebastian Abreu and flying wing back Dario Rodriguez all rolled the grass so much in the first half that the Busan groundsman could be made redundant.

Silva added injury to insult when he was caught on the giant stadium screens catching Patrick Vieira with a cynically late tackle.

Lemerre on the task ahead

Booed constantly by the French fans, Silva was put out of his misery when Uruguay coach Victor Pua introduced substitute Federico Magallanes.

But there was also Uruguayan brilliance - which made their tactics even more frustrating.

Pua's side regularly demonstrated the skill to run France ragged, without dragging the game down to a tearful level.

But in truth, France only have themselves to blame.

Glorious and triumphant on home turf four years ago, they were lame and lifeless again here in Busan.

Of course one world class player can prove the difference between success and inglorious failure.

Heading home

But France should be able to live without Zinedine Zidane, out injured for the second successive game.

They have enough class in their squad to paper over the Zidane cracks. But do they have the belief?

Against Uruguay and against World Cup debutants Senegal six nights earlier, it appeared not.

But there is one thing France must start to believe - and quickly.

Failure to beat group leaders Denmark in their final Group A clash in Incheon on Tuesday would mean the World champions are heading home - nearly three weeks earlier than planned.