France beat Uruguay 1-0 in friendly match

Uruguay deepened their crisis by suffering a fourth consecutive defeat in their friendly match against world champions France.

The Uruguay team, managed by Oscar Tavarez, was full of unusual players and they were struggling to find the brilliance they showed before the World Cup on Tuesday, reports Efe news.

The team had no recollection of past glories. Only Edinson Cavani, currently striker at Paris Saint-Germain, who played in his city, seemed overly-motivated, while the rest barely competed against a France team that was ending their most glorious year.

The party can't go on forever, and France are beginning to feel the hangover of theirs. The stadium in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, had gaps in the stands where there is often no room for a pin. Deschamps' team have lowered the pressure, as if at the end of their most outstanding year the champagne no longer had bubbles.

France had just lost against the Netherlands, their first defeat after the feast in Moscow, which eliminated them from the Nations League and that's why France had to win.

The key moment came in the 51st minute when Griezmann struck a good shot which hit the hand of Caceres.

The penalty whistled by the referee allowed Giroud to achieve his 33rd goal wearing the shirt of France.

France continued to press, but with less conviction. The result was favourable and Uruguay missed their few chances.

--IANS

gau/sed