In focus
Ignacio Gonzalez (URU) - Franck Ribery (FRA)

Two-time world champions Uruguay and 1998 winners France are familiar foes at the FIFA World Cup, with matches between the pair generally tight and closely contested. That being the case, the creative talents of Ignacio Gonzalez and Franck Ribery could prove key in tipping the balance.

Uruguayan playmaker Gonzalez has emerged as a vital pla due to his experience, vision and decision-making. Ribery, for his part, has developed into a driving force for France and club side Ban Munich since starring at Germany 2006. Both he and Lodeiro are capable of going for goal themselves or supplying such lethal strikers as Nicolas Anelka and Andre-Pierre Gignac, for France, and Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez for Uruguay.

What they said

“Given we’re the host nation, it’s important that we try and win every game we play. We need to take nine points from nine in the first phase. We’ll be fortunate enough to have the fans behind us, but our opponents won’t make it easy for us,” South Africa keeper Itumeleng Khune.