Half-time: France 0 Uruguay 0 - report

Arsenal striker Thierry Henry was sent off in France’s do-or-die World Cup clash with Uruguay for a lunging tackle on Marcelo Romero.

Henry caught Romero after 25 minutes in the Asiad Stadium and referee Felipe Ramos Rizo had no hesitation in pulling out his red card.

After France coach Roger Lemerre made optimistic noises about Zinedine Zidane’s return yesterday, the Real Madrid star did not even make the bench for the crunch clash with Uruguay.

Although Zidane is recovering well from his torn thigh muscle, he is not fit enough to play. Youri Djorkaeff, who replaced Zidane for that shock defeat to Senegal last Friday, also missed out through injury, which meant Parma’s Johan Micoud was Lemerre’s only change.

It really was do or die for the World Cup holders and European champions. Lose in the Asiad Stadium and they would be booking an early flight home from Korea. Win and they would be back in the hunt for a place in the second round.

Uruguay faced a similar predicament and defeat for them in the Group A showdown would mean an early end to their campaign.

France, who were kitted out as Les Blancs rather than Les Bleus, did not need reminding of the importance of the match and they took charge from the first whistle.

Uruguay, who had not beaten a European side in the World Cup since 1970, could barely get out of their own half during the opening period.

David Trezeguet put the ball into the back of the Uruguayan net after eight minutes, but the Juventus star had been in an offside position and the effort was disallowed.

Uruguay managed to break out and muster the first shot on target when Pablo Garcia hit a drive which was easily saved by Fabien Barthez.

France were forced to make the first change in the 16th minute when Vincent Candela came on for the injured Frank Leboeuf.

France had Barthez’s right boot to thank for keeping the game goalless following a good break by the South Americans.

Dario Silva burst down the right and sent over a deep cross to Alvaro Recoba and Barthez saved his shot with his trailing right foot.

France’s task became all the harder when Thierry Henry was controversially sent off in the 25th minute.

The Arsenal striker lunged at Marcelo Romero, catching him late and referee Felipe Rizo Ramos ruled that it was a two-footed tackle and produced the red card.