South Africa Finalists embarrass the World Cup 2006 France

South Africa ended their Group A campaign on a high note with a battling win over France, as the hosts were eliminated from the World Cup on goal difference.

Carlos Alberto Parreira's side become the first host nation to fail to reach the second round of the tournament but they can hold their heads high after a performance full of spirit and endeavour.

Goals from Bongani Khumalo and Katlego Mphela gave Bafana Bafana hope of qualifying at the interval, but they ultimately ran out of steam as they chased the goals they needed to overhaul second-placed Mexico.

France, who had Yohann Gourcuff harshly dismissed before the break, did manage to pull a goal back through Florent Malouda, but Raymond Domenech's men never looked like rescuing what has been a shambolic World Cup.

Rumours of a rift in their squad developed into a fully-fledged row that saw Les Bleus striker Nicolas Anelkas sent home in disgrace on Saturday for arguing with Domenech - and the fall-out from that incident saw captain Patrice Evra dropped for this game.

There had also been reports that some French players would refuse to play in this match, and although a boycott did not materialise, Domenech's reign as manager ended with a defeat that left his side bottom of the group.

South Africa deservedly went ahead after 20 minutes when France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris completely missed Siphiwe Tshabalala's corner and Khumalo launched himself at the ball, turning it in off his shoulder.

France's farcical tournament took a further turn for the worse six minutes later when Gourcuff was given his marching orders for an aerial challenge on MacBeth Sibaya. Gourcuff did lead with his arm as he leapt to meet a corner but any contact looked accidental.

And the hosts added to France's misery when Les Bleus failed to clear Tshabalala's cross from the left and Tsepo Masilela turned the ball back across goal for Mphela to bundle it home at the back post despite the best efforts of Gael Clichy.

France did threaten sporadically but their best effort came almost inadvertently when Franck Ribery's hoisted free-kick sailed over a crowd of players and looked like it would bounce in until Moeneeb Josephs tipped over with a superb reaction save.

News that Uruguay had taken the lead in Rustenburg whipped the crowd at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein into a further frenzy and they almost had another goal to celebrate before half-time when Mphela had a rasping shot tipped round the post by Lloris.

But Bafana Bafana still needed to score two more goals themselves - or hope Mexico conceded the same number - to reach the last 16, and it was a quest that was ultimately beyond them.

They almost got a third goal at the start of the second half when Tshabalala slid Mphela clear, but he clipped the outside of the post with his first-time shot.

Mphela also saw a fierce shot pushed away by Lloris but South Africa were clearly tiring quickly and becoming increasingly vulnerable at the back.

France were able to exploit that when Ribery beat Tsepo Masilela to Bacary Sagna's through ball and squared for Florent Malouda to tap home.

South Africa continued to come forward but it was without their previous vigour and they did not create another clear-cut opening until Tshabalala was denied by Lloris in injury time.

Their elimination will bring disappointment to their fanatical supporters but at least they have had moments to savour in the tournament, unlike France, who depart after a hugely disappointing showing on and off the pitch.

France	1-2	South Africa	FT
Malouda, 70	(HT 0-2)	Khumalo, 20 Mphela, 37
Team
France 01 Lloris 02 Sagna 05 Gallas 17 Squillaci 22 Clichy 08 Gourcuff 18 Diarra (10 Govou, 82) 19 Diaby 07 Ribery 09 Cisse (12 Henry, 55) 11 Gignac (15 Malouda, 46)		South Africa 01 Josephs 03 Masilela 04 Mokoena 05 Ngcongca (02 Gaxa, 55) 20 Khumalo 06 Sibaya 08 Tshabalala 10 Pienaar 23 Khuboni (11 Modise, 78) 09 Mphela 17 Parker (18 Nomvethe, 68)
16 Mandanda, 03 Abidal, 04 Reveillere, 06 Planus, 13 Evra, 15 Malouda, 20 Valbuena, 10 Govou, 12 Henry		Substitutes: 22 Walters, 02 Gaxa, 14 Booth, 15 Thwala, 21 Sangweni, 07 Davids, 11 Modise, 12 Letsholonyane, 19 Moriri, 18 Nomvethe
Venue: Free State stadium Referee: O Ruiz Attendance: 39,415

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Luis Suarez scored, Uruguayan as champion Group

Luis Suarez's first-half header saw Uruguay seal top spot in Group A, but opponents Mexico also qualified for the last 16 despite their defeat in Rustenburg.

Pre-match predictions suggested that the two teams would be content to play out the draw which would guarantee them both a place in the knockout stages - and eliminate South Africa and France.

But with outright victory offering the probable prize of avoiding Argentina in the last 16, an entertaining encounter put paid to those fears, with the match decided when Suarez headed home Edinson Cavani's right-wing cross on the stroke of half-time.

The result meant that South Africa's 2-1 victory over France was not enough for the hosts as Mexico progressed on goal difference, while unbeaten Uruguay qualified top with seven points having still to concede.

Uruguay started brightly in Rustenburg, and Suarez had an early chance to break the deadlock.

But after latching onto a long ball which the Mexico defence failed to cut out, the Ajax striker fired a low shot across the face of the goal and wide of Perez's right-hand post.

The group leaders again went close when Alvaro Pereira was played in down the left flank. But rather than square it to Diego Forlan he sliced a left-footed shot wide, much to the fury of the Atletico Madrid striker.

Moments later, Mexico's Andres Guardado smashed the underside of the crossbar with a 30-yard thunderbolt that only just stayed out.

Giovani Dos Santos was always a lively outlet for Mexico and the playmaker was only just denied a close-range shot by a last ditch tackle from Jorge Fucile.

But on the stroke of half-time, Suarez gave Uruguay a lead they just about deserved.

The impressive Forlan won the ball on the halfway line and fed Cavani on the right wing and his delightful cross was headed down and in at the back post by Suarez.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco, the oldest outfield player at the 2010 World Cup at 37, tested Fernando Muslera with a long-range free-kick as Mexico started the second half in positive fashion.

But Uruguay continually looked dangerous going forward and only a superb save from Oscar Perez kept the scores level.

Forlan was again the provider with the former Manchester United striker whipping in a fierce free-kick that Lugano powerfully headed towards goal from close-range, only for Perez to palm it away at full stretch.

Mexico had their best chance shortly after the hour but after fine cross from substitute Pablo Barrera, PSV Eindhoven defender Francisco Rodriguez headed across goal and wide from only six yards out.

Mexico dominated possession in the final stages of the game as they went in search of an equaliser with Uruguay dropping deeper and deeper.

Uruguay held on and the result from the other match in Bloemfontein meant both teams were able to celebrate at the final whistle.

Mexico	0-1	Uruguay	FT
	(HT 0-1)	Suarez, 43
Team
Mexico 01 Perez 02 Rodriguez 03 Salcido 04 Marquez 05 Osorio 15 Moreno (08 Castro, 57 ) 06 Torrado 18 Guardado (07 Barrera, 46) 09 Franco 10 Blanco (14 Hernandez, 63 ) 17 Giovani		Uruguay 01 Muslera 02 Lugano 04 Fucile 06 Victorino 16 Pereira 11 Pereira (19 Scotti, 76) 15 Perez 17 Arevalo Rios 07 Cavani 09 Suarez (20 Alvaro Fernandez , 85) 10 Forlan
13 Ochoa, 23 Michel, 12 Aguilar , 19 Magallon, 20 Torres, 07 Barrera, 08 Castro, 14 Hernandez, 21 Bautista, 22 Alberto Medina		Substitutes: 12 Castillo, 23 Silva, 19 Scotti, 22 Caceres, 05 Gargano, 08 Eguren, 14 Lodeiro, 18 Gonzalez, 20 Alvaro Fernandez , 13 Abreu, 21 Sebastian Fernandez
Venue: Royal Bafokeng Stadium Referee: V Kassai Attendance: 33,425

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