Shooting the Breeze: World Cup 2010 Day 12 - Group A Final Games
South Africa exited the World Cup on goal difference with their heads held high after they beat a gutted France side 2-1 but couldn't overcome a 3 goal group deficit after Uruguay beat Mexico 1-0.
A very unfamiliar lineup was sent onto the field for France as their internal divisions saw many players either left out by the manager or who declined to play on the day.
South Africa's Bongani Khumalo sent the home crowd into overdrive in the 20th minute when he rose at the far post to capitalise on a poor Hugo Lloris attempt to catch a cross. With Abou Diarra too late to intercept there was a suspicion of handball as the ball appeared to hit Khumalo on the top of his arm before going into the goal off his head.
France were in complete disarray in the 26th minute when Yoan Gourcuff was harshly sent off for elbowing MacBeth Sibaya.
At this stage, the result was irrelevant without help from either the Mexicans or Uruguayans but the South Africans continued to try and make their man advantage count and Katlego Mphela scrambled South Africa's second goal home after confusion in the French defence in the 37th minute.
Steven Pienaar was adjudged offside when he had the ball in the back of the net 3 minutes later while Moneeb Josephs kept the South Africans in the game with a good save from Franck Ribery's free kick.
Shortly before half time, however, came the news from the other game that everyone had been waiting for. Luis Suarez had headed Uruguay in front from Edinson Cavani cross. South Africa were within 2 goals of beating the statisticians and going through to the next round.
Florent Malouda came on as a half time substitute for the French, however, and effectively ended South African hopes in the 70th minute when he pulled one back for the French. With 3 goals to make up and no sign of movement in the other match the game was up for the hosts despite a couple of second half efforts from Katlego Mphela which Hugo Lloris was equal to.
Franch coach Raymond Domenech showed a lack of class by refusing to shake the hand of South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira at full time.
For a side who many say shouldn't have been at the World Cup anyway after the Thierry Henry handball controversy in their playoff against the Republic of Ireland it was an ignominious ending for the French World Cup campaign.
South Africa came within a sniff of next round and gained the respect of many at the finals but the French won't be missed at this World Cup finals.
