South Africa downed 10-man France 2-1 in Bloemfontein but it was not enough to prevent them becoming the first host nation to crash out of the World Cup finals at the opening group stage. First-half goals from Bongani Khumalo and Katlego Mphela and a controversial red card for Yoan Gourcuff gave South Africa unlikely hope of reaching the last 16, especially with Uruguay beating Mexico 1-0 in the other Group A game The home fans tried to inspire them to add to their tally, but their hopes were dashed when French substitute Florent Malouda converted Franck Ribery’s pass on 70 minutes. Mexico and Uruguay progress from the section with South Africa and France eliminated. The French head home without winning a game at the tournament only four years after they lost to Italy on penalties in the final. France made six changes with captain Patrice Evra left out. The radical overhaul came after coach Raymond Domenech suggested several players might not wish to play in the wake of Sunday’s training ground strike and the sending home of Nicolas Anelka for disciplinary reasons. France actually enjoyed the brighter moments in the opening 15 minutes before they were left looking ashen-faced as the home side struck with their first real foray forward on 19 minutes. Siphiwe Tshabalala swung in a corner and Khumalo rose unmarked to head home. It was a personal disaster for the French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris who missed the ball, but their day would soon get worse six minutes later. Gourcuff …
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