South Africa beats France, but eliminated

Strutting into the stadium dancing and singing, Bafana Bafana turned its final game at the World Cup into a rollicking party for all of South Africa. All that was missing was enough goals to see them through to the next round.

For France, yesterday's 2-1 loss in Bloemfontein, completed a miserable meltdown.

With each team needing a big win to have any chance of moving on from Group A, both stuck to character. South Africa played eager and aggressive soccer. France imploded.

"The fighting spirit was there," said Katlego Mphela, who scored one of South Africa's goals. "It's a bit unfortunate, but we beat France in the World Cup."

Bongani Khumalo scored in the 20th minute when he outjumped France midfielder Abou Diaby to knock a cross from Siphiwe Tshabalala into the net. Mphela doubled the lead 17 minutes later, outmuscling defender Gael Clichy to reach a low cross from Tsepo Masilela and knock the ball across the line.

France leaves with one point, from a 0-0 draw with Uruguay. France had to play with 10 men after Yoann Gourcuff was ejected for elbowing Macbeth Sibaya in the 25th minute.

South Africa is the first host not to advance in 80 years.

The Uruguayans have looked like anything but an outsider and beat Mexico, 1-0, on Luis Suarez's goal in the 43rd minute in Rustenburg to win Group A.

Uruguay, which did not yield a goal in the first three matches, and Mexico will face the survivors from Group B, South Korea and Argentina. - AP