France a mess, Hosts out despite win, Uruguay and Mexico advance
Host nation South Africa restored some pride and piled more misery on France by beating them 2-1 in the final Group A Game. A draw would have been enough for Uruguay and Mexico to both advance, but in a keenly contested match, Uruguay won 1-0, securing top spot in the group and avoiding Argentina in the next round.
South Africa are the first host nation not to progress past the group stages, but they restored a huge amount of pride by beating the runners-up four years ago 2-1. The goals from Bongani Khumalo and Katlego Mphela gave their supporters hope they could pull off the impossible, but when they chased the goals they needed to overtake Mexico, France gained a consolation goal from Malouda.
The French farce has been highly entertaining for the rest of the world, but especially the Irish. Watching them implode has led to "Karma is a bitch" being the most popular Tweet of the week! First they send home Anelka, then the players refuse to train, and then in today's game Domenech leaves captain Patrice Evra on the bench, and watches as Gourcuff got sent off for leading with the elbow. A man and two goals down with just half an hour gone - it is embarrassing for a nation as proud as France.
Uruguay are the surprise winners of Group A - they beat Mexico thanks to Luis Suarez header in the first half. Despite predictions that they may play out a draw, both sides went for it with the prize of avoiding Argentina. And in the end both sides could celebrate at the final whistle.
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