CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AFP) — Former champions France failed to set the World Cup alight yesterday as they struggled to a 0-0 draw against 10-man Uruguay in an uninspiring start to their campaign.

Rarely can a team have arrived at a World Cup with more baggage than France, unsettled by rumoured internal strife and criticised at home for poor form.

They did little to appease their detractors against the South Americans, with neither side able to take the early initiative in Group A after South Africa and Mexico drew 1-1 in the opening match of the tournament.

France coach Raymond Domenech raised a few more eyebrows by leaving not just Thierry Henry on the bench but also Chelsea’s Florent Malouda.

Nicolas Anelka was tasked with the main goalscoring duties and Arsenal’s Abou Diaby drafted in for Malouda.

But they looked far from convincing at a packed Green Point Stadium.

Both sides started lively enough with France having a great opportunity to take an early lead on six minutes when the dangerous Franck 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.

France came into the match under huge pressure after a string of average performances and they looked like they wanted to prove a point, with Diaby keeping the momentum going with a long range drive soon after.

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.

But just as suddenly the match got bogged down in midfield and the chances dried up, with the teams going to the break all-square.

The second half started as the first finished and it was becoming a

turgid affair.

Forlan showed glimpses of the form that bagged him so many goals last season, effortlessly bringing down a ball on his chest before blasting wide early in the second period.

But the goalkeepers were hardly troubled with Anelka all at sea as France’s lone striker. He paid the price with Henry replacing him for his 121st cap with 19 minutes left.

Malouda also came on for Gourcuff as Domenech threw his last dice, but to no avail with France failing to capitalise when substitute Nicolas Lodeiro was shown a red card for a wild challenge on Bakary Sagna with eight minutes left.