France and Switzerland have gone into half-time 0-0 in their Group G encounter in Stüttgart on Tuesday.

Both sides came out with the intent of scoring an early goal, with chances on both sides, with the French just shading the advantage in possession.

Although Switzerland had a couple of tame chances, France were more dangerous in front of goal in the first-half, but nothing that worried Switzerland goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuehler.

The Swiss almost scored when Alexander Frei got the slightest of touches from a free-kick that ricocheted off the post, which saved Lilian Thuram’s blushes, who was playing both Frei and Senderos onside.

Franck Ribery did well to get a shot on target in the 31st minute, turning well in the area, but unleashing a shot straight at Zuberbuehler.

There was a penalty call from the French in the 38th minute for a handball, but it was waved away by the referee, with Ribery in a position to have scored, but he waited for the call from the referee and wasted his chance.

France continued to press for the opener, with the Swiss aiming to attack on the break, but France were lacking the final, telling pass and Switzerland - who have never kept a clean-sheet in a World Cup Finals match – managed to stifle their attacks.

Neither side had any clear-cut chances in the first period and the game went into half-time 0-0.

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