World Cup - Group A decided

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.

WORLD CUP - France in disarray

Players won't train after Anelka expulsion

France's World Cup limps from disaster to disaster. The latest word from South Africa is that their players have refused to train on Sunday - in protest at the sending-home of Nicolas Anelka. It's clear that coach Raymond Domenech does not have the support of any of his team. The head of the French Football Federation quit in disgust saying he was sickened and disgusted by the scandal. Jean Louis Valentin said the players decision not to train as unacceptable.

The team arrived for training and got off their bus to greet fans. But captain Evra stayed on the to tell Domenech what was happening. Then Evra argued with fitness coach Robert Duverne, who was setting up training cones. Duvrne threw is accreditation to the ground and stormed off when h heard what was happening. Evra then gave a letter to the press office and bunch of spoiled brats, sorry I mean the players, got back on the bus and pulled the curtains.

Anelka was sent home from the World Cup on Friday after launching a verbal tirade on coach Domenech. Missing the point entirely, the French players are now focussing their ire on who the "rat" was who revealed what had been said to the media. "The problem of France is not Anelka, but he traitor among us," said captain Patrice Evra, "This comes from someone who is on the team and wants to hurt the team."

Yes, Patrice!!! The problem for France is someone talking to a reporter, not how crap the team has been performing on the pitch. The Scadenfruede for Irish fans, angry at France for cheating them out of a place in the World Cup, grows by the day.

World Cup Day Seven

France need a miracle

Mexico beat France 2-0, leaving Raymond Domenech's men with just one point heading into the final group games. Mexico look on course to progress along with Uruguay - they both need just a draw when they meet each other next week. But France must hope there is a result in that match, and that they beat South Africa - or it's another embarrassing exit for the 1998 champions. One of the Mexican goal-scorers Javier Hernandez signed for Manchester United before the tournament - it looks like Alex Ferguson knows what he's doing.

Greece in first ever World Cup win

Their country may be bankrupt, but Greek spirits were lifted by their first ever World Cup win. They came from behind to beat Nigeria 2-1. The Africans finished the match with just ten men - midfielder Kaita got a straight red card in the middle of the first half. By then Nigeria were 1-0 up, but the Greeks drew level just before the break. And Torisidos was the hero when he poked home the winner on 71 minutes. What a disappointing tournament for the Nigerians.

Argentina hit their stride

The tournament favourites eased past South Korea with a 4-1 win that was never in doubt. They took the lead on 17 minutes when a Messi free-kick was deflected into the goal. And then Gonzalo Higuan added a hat-trick - the first on 33 minutes, and two in the space of four minutes in the last 15 minutes of the game.

World Cup Day One

Top Moments of World Cup Day One:

1. Screamer from Tshabalala

What a goal to open the tournament! With all the hype and emotion associated with the World Cup being held in Africa for the first time, you couldn't get a more exciting strike to keep the atmosphere buzzing. The 25 year old, who plays for a football club called Kaizer Chiefs, and whose name sounds like a tune - Sha-la-la-la-la), hit the high note of Day One, with a stunning strike into the top right hand corner of the goal to put the hosts in the lead. He was born in Soweto just miles from the new stadium - you couldn't script it! But if you did the pesky Mexicans would not have got the equaliser they deserved in the 1-1 draw.



2. Thierry Henry calls for a handball

Who didn't laugh out loud when Thierry Henry called for a penalty when the ball struck the hand of Uruguay's Victorino inside the box in the last minute of their 0-0 draw? It wasn't a penalty, and nothing was given. "Folks from Ireland must have gone off the deep-end when they saw that," said a presenter on ESPN. Alexei Lalas, former US international said, "That's not a handball. C'mon Thierry. You know what a handball is."




3. Soccer City looks great

Ariel shots of the new stadium in Johannesburg showcased the newest jewel in world sporting arenas. Reminiscent of the Crow's Nest Olympic Stadium in Beijing, the 94,000 seater is a worthy venue for the football's biggest games.



4. Au Revoir France

It's always dangerous to write off one of the big nations so early in a tournament, but the French really looked below par against Uruguay. Considering they barely managed to qualify, it should be no surprise, but they may struggle to get out of a relatively easy group. And coach Raymond Domenech, already under huge pressure, is now under fire again. Chinese journalist to Raymond Domenech, even before today's game: "When a frog is put in boiling water, it doesn't feel the heat until it gets too hot. How warm is the water for you now?"




Low point:

Really missing the analysis of Dunphy/Giles/Brady/Souness. With the exception of Alexi Lalas (who actually talks sense and is kinda fun, the analysis on US TV is below par - Steve McManaman and Ruud Gullit in studio, Ally McCoist and Efan Ekoku in co-commentator positions).