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

Read the full story

Diego Forlán brace spoils the South African party

Uruguay produced an assured performance to beat hosts South Africa in Pretoria and take control of Group A.

The South Americans were much more forward-thinking than during their nervous opening match with France five days ago providing a constant threat to Bafana Bafana's goal while also nullifying the meek attacking threat provided by their overwhelmed opponents.

Diego Forlan capped an impressive performance with two goals - the first a 30-yard deflected strike, the second a well-taken penalty after Luis Suarez had been fouled by goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, for which he was red carded - and Alvaro Pereira added a late third.

The victory not only advances Uruguay to four points and to top of the table ahead of their final group game with Mexico, but gives them their first World Cup finals victory since a group stage win over South Korea at Italia 90.

In contrast, this defeat is South Africa's first in 14 matches and leaves them facing an uphill task to secure a place in the last 16.

Prior to the game, both coaches had promised more positive approaches from their sides following conservative showings in their opening games, which yielded them a point a piece, and so it proved in an entertaining match that not only improved on what Group A had offered, but what the tournament on the whole has provided thus far.

Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira kept essentially the same side - Tsepo Masilela replaced Lucas Thwala at left-back - and the same shape from the 1-1 draw with Mexico. Their performance was more in keeping with their passionate second-half display at Soccer City rather than their nervous first 45 minutes, but they were unable to pose enough of a threat to trouble their superior opponents.

Having navigated a tricky opening game against France relatively unscathed and knowing here lay their chance to seize control of Group A, Uruguay opted for a three man strike force, bringing in Edinson Cavani to partner Suarez, with Atletico Madrid's Forlan playing in a withdrawn attacking role.

The former Manchester United striker was the difference - dropping deep to collect possession and influence his side's attacks and providing the moment of individual brilliance that gave Uruguay the lead midway through the first half via a 30-yard dipping shot that found the net via a glancing deflection off Aaron Mokoena.

He also demonstrated an immense level of composure to emphatically hammer his penalty into the roof of the net following a considerable wait while the hosts replaced Khune with substitute keeper Moneeb Josephs.

The 75th-minute penalty prompted a silent, defeated exodus from the stands and when Forlan floated an exquisite pass to Suarez who then crossed for Alvaro Perreira to head home Uruguay's third deep into injury time the stadium was only half full.

For all their disappointment, the partisan home support can have no complaints as Oscar Tabarez's side were dominant. They set out their stall in an opening 10 minutes that saw them create more chances than in the whole of the 90 against the French, with Suarez's shot from a tight angle that flew wide the best of them.

Suarez, who is so prolific in front of goal for club side Ajax, was to squander further chances: hitting the side-netting from a tight angle from 10 yards and also firing straight at keeper Khune from a promising position 20 yards out.

His strike partner Edison Cavani also missed two good opportunities and captain Diego Lugano fluffed a header from a Forlan free-kick early in the second half.

South Africa's chances were significantly fewer but their wastefulness mirrored the worst of their opponents' attempts.

Siphiwe Tshabalala - brim full of confidence after his superb opening goal against the Mexicans - had two good shooting chances in the opening quarter but the first he fired over from 25 yards and the second he badly misjudged with an attempted chip when Steven Pienaar was perhaps better placed to receive a pass.

Katlego Mphela, who was denied giving his side a win against Mexico by a post late on - missed the target with a close range header in each half.

South Africa now face a final group game against France without suspended keeper Khune, midfielder Dikgachoi, who picked up a second yellow of the tournament, and with only slim hopes of qualifying.

South Africa	0-3	Uruguay	FT
	(HT 0-1)	Forlan, 24 (pen), 80 Pereira, 90+5
Team
South Africa 16 Khune 02 Gaxa 03 Masilela 04 Mokoena 20 Khumalo 08 Tshabalala 10 Pienaar (Josephs, 79) 11 Modise 12 Letsholonyane (Moriri, 57) 13 Dikgacoi 09 Katlego Mphela		Uruguay 01 Muslera 02 Lugano 03 Godin 04 Fucile ( Alvaro Fernandez , 71) 16 Pereira 11 Pereira 15 Perez (Gargano, 90) 17 Arevalo Rios 07 Cavani (Sebastian Fernandez, 89) 09 Suarez 10 Forlan
Substitutes: 01 Josephs, 22 Walters, 05 Ngcongca, 14 Booth, 15 Thwala, 21 Sangweni, 06 Sibaya, 07 Davids, 19 Moriri, 23 Thanduyise Khuboni, 17 Parker, 18 Nomvethe		Substitutes: 12 Castillo, 23 Silva, 06 Victorino, 19 Scotti, 22 Caceres, 05 Gargano, 08 Eguren, 18 Gonzalez, 20 Alvaro Fernandez , 13 Abreu, 21 Sebastian Fernandez
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium Referee: M Busacca Attendance: 42,658

Read the full story