The first half of the 2014 World Cup first-leg encounter between France and Ukraine in Kyiv proved to be a compelling contest. Opting for an initial lineup that favored Giroud over Benzema, the French team held their ground effectively in this away match.
Despite Yarmolenko posing a consistent threat and testing Hugo Lloris on several occasions, Ukraine struggled to generate significant attacking momentum. On the contrary, France faced challenges in asserting control over the game, resulting in limited scoring opportunities.
Franck Ribéry, a key figure for France, remained relatively subdued in the first half, contributing less to the team’s offensive efforts.
As the halftime whistle blew, the score remained deadlocked at 0-0, reflecting the closely contested nature of the match and leaving both teams with work to do in the second half.
