World Cup 2010: South Africa Win 2-1 and Say 'Au Revoir' To France

This was not just a football match, it was a battle of two nations. A fight to be in the next round of the biggest football tournament in the world.

France, the 2006 runners up, was meant to fly through the group stages of this year's World Cup. Yet they stumbled at the first hurdle and kept on falling.

France drew their first game to Uruguay on the opening day. This wasn't a bad result as later on other highly ranked teams did the same or even lost, as in Spain's case.

However, the next game is where they came tumbling down. They lost 2-0 to Mexico. The defeat was only the start of their rollercoaster week.

Anelka was sent home after an argument during the Mexico game, which was followed by, what the media call, the French Revolution II . Players boycotted training, Evra argued with the fitness coach, even the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, was involved.

If South Africa could beat the French, they would have a chance to progress to the last 16, and make the Republic of Ireland very happy, after they were cheated out of the finals by Thierry Henry's handball.

South Africa vs. France

Even in their recent poor form, France was still the favorites to win.

For the first 20 minutes they were equal to each other. Both teams made runs and had shots without any result.

The South Africa was awarded a corner. The ball was whipped in, and LLoris, the French goalie, went out to punch it out of the box.

However, LLoris missed the ball, which then landed on the shoulder of Khumalo and hit the back of the net. South Africa was in a surprising lead.

Then the match got even worse for 'Les Bleus.' As they were on the attack, Gourcuff jumped to head the ball into the South African box. As he jumped, his arms waved and hit the face of Sibaya who went down in a heap.

The ref thought it was violent, so he sent him off and left France with 10 men.

After the red card, South Africa were the more dominant, with France having limited chances.

Things couldn't have got any worse for the European team but then...

With just over five minutes to go, South Africa was on the attack again, Tshabalala got to the line and fizzed the ball across the goal's mouth. Khumalo showed his presence from three yards out and bundled the ball over the line.

At half time, South Africa was leading 2-0 and was close to progress to the last 16.

Domenech, the Frech coach, had a lot to say or shout at his players during the 15 minute break.

South Africa continued their dominance in the second half. Within the first five minutes they had a few shots on goal with one hitting the post and the other going wide.

Unfortunately for Bafana Bafana, one of the French attacks caught them out. The ball was played through the defense, then across the goal and passed into the net by Malouda.

When Henry came onto the pitch, he was booed everytime he took a touch.

The rest of the game went on without incident. Both teams had shots and both teams missed.

With 2-1 as the score line, South Africa would need either Uruguay or Mexico to win by 3 goals, for them to have any chance of progressing.

Group A results:

South Africa 2 - 1  France

Mexico  0 -  1 Uruguay

Group A table:

                          Pts        GF     GA

1. Uruguay             7          4       0

2. Mexico               4          3       2

3. South Africa        4         3       5

4. France               1          1       4

Uruguay and Mexico go through to the last 16.