Both France and hosts South Africa went crashing out of the World Cup today, thanks to the result in the Uruguay-Mexico match. France finish on the bottom of Group A with just two points and only one goal over their three games. South Africa had a great deal of work to do because their goal differential was so poor after the 3-0 thrashing they received from Uruguay last week. The hosts did their best, especially after Youann Gourcuff was sent off for France, but a 2-1 final scoreline at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein was not enough to push the Bafana Bafana through. France will slink back home to face the understandably outraged French public and Raymond Domenech finishes his six-year reign as France manager on the lowest note since the 2002 World Cup. In the end it is disappointing that South Africa became the first host nation to fail to qualify for the knockout rounds. But given the realistic quality of their side, it should not be particularly surprising either.
