The last group matches: Groups A and B

Raymond Domenech has managed his final game for France.

After the arguments of the last few days, France made six changes for their match against South Africa. However, France’s bad form continued and they were 1-0 down after just 20 minutes after Khumalo headed home from a corner. Then French midfielder Gourcuff was shown a straight red for seemingly elbowing a defender in the neck whilst jumping for the ball and France had to play the remaining 65 minutes with 10 men. South Africa attacked relentlessly, knowing that overturning their poor goal difference could allow them to qualify, and they finally increased their lead to 2-0 with a scrambled goal from Mphela. They scored again a few moments later only for it to be disallowed for offside. France created one great chance just before half-time when a free-kick bounced awkwardly in front of South African keeper Josephs, causing him to pull off a spectacular save.

The second half saw Malouda and Henry on and this seemed to liven France up. After 69 minutes, Malouda put away an easy tap in, pulling back a goal for France and also giving them their first goal of the tournament. The hosts lacked some of their passion of the first half but they defended well and kept the 2006 finalists at bay. The game finished 2-1 to South Africa but the result from the other group game meant South Africa finished in third place, tied with Mexico on four points but knocked out on goal difference, and they became the first ever hosts to go out in the group stage. France finished bottom of the group with only one point after a hugely disappointing tournament.

In the other Group A match, Uruguay took on Mexico with both teams knowing a draw would allow them both to qualify. However, both teams came out fighting to win the match and the group. Uruguay missed an early chance to take the lead and Mexico’s Guardado hit the crossbar with a fantastic strike from 30 yards out. There was impressive play from both teams but no break through came until just before half time. A cross from the right found Suarez and he had a free header into the bottom corner, giving Uruguay the lead at the break.

The teams played brightly again the second half and both keepers were responsible for keeping the score at 1-0. Uruguay’s keeper Muslera saved a great free-kick shortly after the restart to stop Mexico equalising and Mexico’s keeper Perez also pulled off a superb save to keep Mexico in the game. Mexico’s best chance came after 60 minutes when defender Rodriguez headed wide from only six yards out. They dominated possession as they searched for an equaliser but Uruguay held on to their 1-0 lead. The final whistle went and Mexico qualified with four points due to their superior goal difference over South Africa. Uruguay finished top of the group with seven points.

In the Group B games in the evening, group leaders Argentina took on Greece as they looked to win three out of three. Argentina made seven changes to their starting line-up but seemed just as organised and confident as they passed the ball well and dominated possession. However, neither side created any real chances and most of the shots came from long range efforts. Greek keeper Tzorvas tipped over shots from Veron and Messi to keep the score goalless at half time.

The second half continued in much the same way and there was no breakthrough until the 77th minute when Demichelis headed home to give Argentina the lead. Greece’s resistant slumped somewhat after this goal and Argentina created a host of chances, including a Messi strike which hit the post. Eventually Argentina scored the second goal they deserved when Palermo slotted home after a Messi strike was palmed away, and this secured a 2-0 win and top spot in the group for Argentina with nine points. They will face Mexico, runners-up in Group A, in the next round.

In the group’s other match, South Korea played Nigeria in a match full of goals. Nigeria started well and took the lead after only 12 minutes when Kalu Uche tapped in and they had the chance to double their lead but Uche’s strike hit the right-hand post. South Korea managed to level the game after Lee Jung-Soo was left unmarked to bundle in the ball at the back post from a free-kick and so the teams went in 1-1 at half time.

Only four minutes into the second half South Korea struck again from a free-kick to give themselves a 2-1 lead. After having the game completely turned around, Nigeria could have slumped but they battled on and Yakubu missed a fantastic chance to equalise when he side-footed wide from only four yards out. He redeemed himself soon after though as he coolly slotted home a penalty after Ogbuke was fouled in the area. This made the game 2-2 and a nervous 20 minutes followed. However neither side could find a winner and the game finished level. With four points, South Korea finished second in Group B and set up a next round tie with Uruguay, winners of Group A.

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