When Tuesday began, it seemed inconceivable that South Africa could progress from Group A.
However, the hosts defeated France, 2-1, in Bloemfontein on Tuesday to give their nation brief hope while piling more misery on their embattled opponents.
In the end, though, the scoreline wasn't enough. The Bafana Bafana became the first host nation in World Cup history not to make the knockout stages after tallying an inferior goal difference to close the group.
In the other Group A match, Uruguay defeated Mexico, 1-0, to win the group. Mexico finish runners up, while South Africa and France are out.
South Africa needed to defeat France and make up a five-goal differential on Mexico, and having paced a 2-0 advantage at halftime, there was hope they could attain just that—especially as Uruguay had taken a 1-0 lead in the other tilt.
However, France—who were reduced to 10 men midway through the first half—managed a second-half goal, leaving the hosts to watch their World Cup party gradually come to an end.
The Bafana Bafana went ahead in the 20th minute, raising the level of excitement at Free State Stadium to a fever pitch. And it was Siphiwe Tshabalala—the star of South Afica's opener—who provided the goal.
Tshabalala fired in a corner from the right side that eluded France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, and ready to pounce was Bongani Khumalo, who headed home his effort with ease.
Katlego Mphela had a chance to double the score minutes later after taking mazey run through the France defense, but he dragged his shot to the wrong side of the left post.
France's tournament went from disastrous to even worse when Yoann Gourcuff was sent off in the 26th minute. The midfielder clashed with MacBeth Sibaya as the two jumped for a 50-50 ball, his elbow clattering into his opponent's jaw. Sibaya went to ground and appeared unconscious for a few seconds. Colombian referee Oscar Ruiz went for his pocket, and the color was red.
South Africa made the man advantage count 10 minutes later when Katlego Mphela doubled the score. After bungling an initial effort, Tsepo Masilela fired in a low, hard cross that Mphela bundled over the line.
Mphela continued to threaten the French, first hitting the post, then testing French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris from distance, before finally burying a shot in the side netting—though on the wrong side of the string.
France's brief respite from what has been a nightmare week came in the 70th minute after Bacary Sagna played in Franck Ribery, who picked out Maluda's run into the box. The Chelsea winger stabbed home France's only goal of the tournament.
South Africa's final effort came in stoppage time, but Tshabalala fired his shot directly at Lloris.
The match ended the tournament for the two sides, and both will be bitterly disappointed with the campaign— but perhaps none more so than France.
Following much-publicized infighting, Les Blues began Tuesday's match having made six changes. Most notably, striker Djibril Cisse replaced the disgraced Nicolas Anelka, while Gael Clichy filled in for former captain Patrice Evra, who had voiced his team's protest to Anelka's expulsion.
Lineups:
France: 1-Hugo Lloris; 2-Bacary Sagna, 5-William Gallas, 17-Sebastien Squillaci, 22-Gael Clichy; 18-Alou Diarra (Sidney Govou, 82), 19-Abou Diaby, 8-Yoan Gourcuff, 7-Franck Ribery; 11-Andre-Pierre Gignac (Florent Malouda, 46), 9-Djibril Cisse (Thierry Henry, 55).
South Africa: 1-Moeneeb Josephs; 5-Anele Ngcongoa (Siboniso Pa Gaxa, 55), 20-Bongani Khumalo, 4-Aaron Mokoena, 3-Tsepo Masilela, 6-MacBeth Sibaya, 23-Thanduyise Khuboni (Teko Modise, 78), 10-Steven Pienaar, 8-Siphiwe Tshabalala, 9-Katlego Mphela, 17-Bernard Parker (Siyabonga Nomvete, 68).
Referee: Oscar Ruiz (Colombia)
