Reigning World Cup football champion France has barely kept its hopes alive to repeat after being held to a scoreless draw by Uruguay in Busan, South Korea.
With one match left to play in this group, the two second round berths are still up for grabs. That's because both games Thursday ended in draws.
Senegal and Denmark, which began the tournament with wins, played to a 1-1 tie in Daegu. The Danes got their goal on a 16th minute penalty kick from Jon Dahl Tomasson, after he was taken down in the box by Salif Diao.
Diao equalized for Senegal early in the 52nd minute, after some tactical substitutions. But in the 80th minute, he received a red card ejection for a dangerous tackle.
Denmark coach Morten Olsen acknowledged that Senegal was the better side in the second half, especially as the heat began to take its toll on his team.
"In the second half, when they played with three or four attacking players, they were very dangerous," the coach said. "So, I thought, maybe, we were lucky in this game to get one point."
But that one point for each ties Denmark and Senegal for first place in Group A with four points and needing only draws in their final matches to reach the second round.
France and Uruguay each have just one point after playing this World Cup's first scoreless draw. They have to win their final matches next Tuesday to have any chance of advancing. Reigning champion France plays Denmark and Senegal faces Uruguay.