Raymond Domenech has overseen three major tournaments as manager of France and they have all begun with a goalless draw. In 2006, the French were able to recover from a dreadful start to reach the World Cup final while two years later a 0-0 draw with Romania was the shape of uninspiring things to come.

His controversial decision to omit Thierry Henry and Florent Malouda was only partially justified. Nicolas Anelka failed to connect with his midfield but Abou Diaby, preferred to Malouda, took charge of the centre in a manner Patrick Vieira would have recognised. The French, as they had done in the warm-ups, lacked invention in the penalty area while Uruguay, who have now won one of their last 15 matches in World Cup finals, were negative, destructive and finally reduced to 10 men, an advantage France completely lacked the wit to capitalise upon.

Diego Forlan, who was predictably their best player, was left too isolated by his midfield but held the ball up well. Neither team will relish their next game.