Cape Town - France and Uruguay were deadlocked 0-0 at half-time in their opening Group A match at the World Cup on Friday, with few chances for either side.

It was a lively start on a mild evening that saw France coach Raymond Domenech leave Thierry Henry and Florent Malouda on the bench, with Nicolas Anelka assuming the main goalscoring duties alongside Franck Ribery.

Arsenal's Abou Diaby filled in for Malouda.

In front of a packed Green Point Stadium, France had a great opportunity to take an early lead on six minutes when the dangerous Ribery gave his defender the slip down the left.

The Bayern Munich star sent a low cross into the box with Sidney Govou's outstretched foot sending the ball just past the post, a chance he should have buried.

Uruguay were struggling to find their groove until Diego Forlan found space just outside the penalty area and curled in a shot that forced a fine save from Hugo Lloris.

The game began opening up and minutes later Yoann Gourcuff tested the Uruguay keeper with a swinging free-kick that Fernando Muslera did well to punch away.

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But just as suddenly the match got bogged down in midfield and the chances dried up in the final 15 minutes, leaving the teams at level pegging at the break.