BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa: The catastrophic French campaign was capped off by a 2-1 loss to South Africa on Tuesday, leaving France reeling and making Bafana Bafana the first host team to be eliminated in the group stage of the World Cup.
Bongani Khumalo and Katlego Mphela scored a goal each in the first half against 10-man France. Florent Malouda pulled one back for the French in the 70th.
Uruguay and Mexico both advanced from Group A. The Uruguayans beat Mexico 1-0 in the other group match.
"Of course we’re disappointed we did not qualify but I do not consider this a failure," South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said of a run that ended on a positive note for his team. "I believe the whole country is proud."
Khumalo put Bafana Bafana ahead in the 20th when he out jumped France midfielder Abou Diaby to knock a cross from Siphiwe Tshabalala into the net with his shoulder.
Mphela doubled the lead in the 37th, out muscling defender Gael Clichy to reach a low cross from Tsepo Masilela and scramble the ball across the line.
Just to accentuate a disastrous World Cup for the French, Yoann Gourcuff was sent off for elbowing Macbeth Sibaya in the 25th, leaving the 2006 finalists with 10 men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Malouda made it 2-1 when he knocked in a cross from Franck Ribery.
"I’m sad for all the fans and everyone who support the French team," France coach Raymond Domenech said. "It’s the hard and harsh reality of our situation. So I have a genuine sense of sadness."
After playing with a lone striker in its first two matches, South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira opted to play two men up front against France — Bernard Parker and Mphela — and it paid off.
Mphela caused trouble for the French defense, with strong runs and dangerous drives from distance.
He nearly scored his second goal in the 43rd with a right-foot drive from 25 meters (yards) that forced a diving save from France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Mphela continued to bother France’s backline after the break, and should have scored in the 50th when he ran onto a pass from Steven Piennar, but his right-foot shot hit the crossbar.
The striker went close again five minutes later with a drive from 25 meters (yards) that Lloris punched away.
South Africa’s attacking style brought the crowd at Free State Stadium to life, and the home fans roared with each Bafana Bafana foray into the French half.
Facing a 2-0 halftime deficit, Domenech brought on Malouda and striker Thierry Henry to try to boost his team’s flagging attack.
The changes had little impact until Ribery set up Malouda.
Despite the win, South Africa became the first host nation in the tournament’s 80-year history not to advance to the knockout round.
The team finished even with Mexico on four points, but the Latin Americans go through with a better goal difference.
Uruguay secured top spot in Group A with a 1-0 win over Mexico on Tuesday, although the Mexicans still advanced to the knockout round at the expense of host South Africa.
Luis Suarez scored the winner in the 43rd minute after running unmarked to the back post and heading in Edinson Cavani’s cross for his first goal of the tournament.
Mexico advanced to the round of 16 thanks to better goal difference than South Africa, which beat France 2-1.
Uruguay and Mexico went into the last group game sharing the lead on four points and needed only a draw to advance but they both fielded attacking lineups. Even so, the game yielded few clear scoring chances.
"The important thing is that we qualified in first place," Uruguay striker Diego Forlan said. "They controlled the ball well and in truth it was quite hard for us."
Uruguay, which didn’t concede a goal in the first round to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 1990, ended the group phase with seven points.
"We had bad moments, but also good moments," Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said. "I think it was a lack of experience."
"It leaves a bitter taste," Mexico midfielder Rafael Marquez said. "We’re all unhappy with this result and with today’s performance. We’ll have to improve now."
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre preserved an attacking lineup that helped his team beat France 2-0 in its last game.
Veteran striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco, at 37 the oldest outfield player at the tournament, replaced the injured Carlos Vela as Mexico retained its 4-3-3 formation.
Tabarez made just one change to the lineup that beat South Africa 3-0, bringing in defender Mauricio Victorino for Diego Godin.
But the match was mostly subdued. Forlan, who scored twice and set up another goal against the host nation, never sparkled, and the Mexicans fell far short of the quality they showed against France.
Mexico went behind despite dominating possession, moving the ball easily around the pitch but failing to find holes in the Uruguay back line.
Mexico increased the pressure after the interval, and Blanco tested Fernando Muslera with a curling free kick the goalkeeper did well to hold.
