Mexico start brightly against France, but sides level 0-0 after 30 minutes in Group A match

France and Mexico level at 0-0 after 30 minutes

POLOKWANE, South Africa — Mexico threatened a flustered French defense in a lively first 30 minutes though the sides were level at 0-0 in a World Cup match on Thursday.

In the fifth minute, France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris rushed to the edge of his area to clear as Giovani Dos Santos closed Patrice Evra’s weak backpass.

Three Mexican attackers ran clear of a static French backline in the eighth but Carlos Vela’s left-foot shot went high.

Carlos Salcido’s long pass found Guillermo Franco, but his curled shot was high.

Salcido twice exploited gaps on France’s right but fired a 20-yard shot wide, and drew a save from Lloris in the 27th.

A free kick move from France found Franck Ribery in space, but his right-foot shot flashed across the goalmouth.