France 1 - 2 South Africa

France has been sent out of the World Cup after losing 2-1 to South Africa as Uruguay and Mexico sweep into the second round from Group A.



South Africa became the first World Cup host to fail to survive the group stage despite finishing level on points with Mexico.

A dispirited France had to play most of the match with 10 men after Yoann Gourcuff was sent off in the 25th minute.

The surprise red card came five minutes after Bongani Khumalo put South Africa ahead with a header from a corner.

Katlego Mphela scored the second goal in the 37th minute, bundling the ball over the line after a square pass from Tsepo Masilela.

Uruguay topped Group A with seven points after beating Mexico 1-0. France stood in the fourth with one point.

France pulled a goal back in the 70th minute through Florent Malouda.

Both France and South Africa needed wins by a big margin and a positive result from the Uruguay-Mexico match to sweep into the last 16.

But Uruguay's 1-0 victory over Mexico meant Uruguay went into the knockout round as Group A winner while Mexico also went through on goal difference over South Africa.

France (FRA)

Line-Up: Hugo Lloris, Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, Sebastien Squillaci, Gael Clichy, Abou Diaby, Alou Diarra (Sidney Govou 82'), Franck Ribery, Yoann Gourcuff, André-Pierre Gignac (Florent Malouda 46'), Djibril Cisse (Thierry Henry 55')

Substitutes Not Used: Anthony Reveillere, Eric Bilal Abidal, Patrice Evra, Matthieu Valbuena, Jeremy Toulalan, Steve Mandanda, Marc Planus

Manager: Raymond Domenech

Goals: Florent Malouda 70'

Booked: Abou Diaby 71'

Sent Off: Yoann Gourcuff 25'


South Africa (RSA)

Line-Up: Moneeb Josephs, Anele Ngongca (Siboniso Gaxa 55'), Aaron Mokoena, Bongani Khumalo, Tsepo Masilela, Steven Pienaar, Kheto, Thanduyise Khuboni (Teko Modise 78'), Siphiwe Tshabalala, Bernard Parker (Syabonga Nomvethe 68'), Katlego Mphela

Substitutes Not Used: Itumeleng Khune, Lance Davids, Lucas Thwala, Siyabonga Sangweni, Surprise Moriri, Shu-Aib Walters, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Teko, Matthew Booth

Manager: Carlos Alberto Parreira

Goals: Bongani Khumalo 20', Katlego Mphela 37'


Referee: Oscar Ruiz (Colombia)

Venue: Free State Stadium, Mangaung/Bloemfontein

Match Facts:

Shots on target: 3 (FRA) - 8 (RSA)
Shots off target: 5 (FRA) - 7 (RSA)
Ball possession (%): 49 (FRA) - 51 (RSA)
Corner kicks: 3 (FRA) - 5 (RSA)
Offside: 6 (FRA) - 3 (RSA)
Fouls committed: 9 (FRA) - 11 (RSA)
Yellow cards: 1 (FRA) - 0 (RSA)
Red cards: 1 (FRA) - 0 (RSA)