France and Senegal Battle to Scoreless First-Half Deadlock

Defending champions France and Senegal remain locked in a scoreless 0-0 draw at halftime of their highly anticipated FIFA World Cup group stage opener. Neither side could find the breakthrough in a tense, tactical first half defined by physical midfield battles and cautious defensive structures. The opening 45 minutes delivered high-stakes drama despite the lack of goals, as both heavyweights sought to establish dominance in their tournament debut.

France attempted to dictate the tempo through sustained possession, but Senegal's disciplined low block consistently frustrated the French attackers, cutting off passing lanes and forcing play out wide. Senegal looked dangerous on the counter-attack, utilizing their physical presence and quick transitions to test the French backline. While both managers utilized early tactical adjustments to gain an upper hand, the first half concluded without any yellow cards or substitutions, leaving both starting lineups intact as they headed down the tunnel to regroup.