Hosts South Africa grabbed their first win of the 2010 World Cup by defeating France 2-1 but it failed to put them through to the second phase.
Group AFrance: 1 (Florent Malouda 70') South Africa: 2 (Bongani Khumalo 20', Katlego Mphela 37')
Venue: Free State Stadium - Bloemfontein Crowd: 39,418 Referee: Oscar Ruiz (COL) Yellow cards:FRA - Abou Diaby 71' RSA - nil
Red cards:FRA - Yoann Gourcuff 25'
South Africa gave their fans the perfect gift in the 20th minute when central defender Bongani Khumalo nodded home from a Siphiwe Tshabalala corner. The goal gave the Bafana Bafana players hope as they began to play with even more confidence.
The day only got worse for France five minutes later when midfielder Yoann Gourcuff was sent off for an aerial challenge on MacBeth Sibaya which looked a bit harsh for a straight red.
In the 37th minute, South Africa went up 2-0 when Katlego Mphela finished with ease after a cross from Tsepo Masilela sending the Bloemfontein crowd into a frenzy.
France were making a better fist of things early in the second term and welcomed Thierry Henry onto the pitch in the 55th minute to equal Fabien Barthez's record of 17 World Cup finals appearances.
Down the other end, Mphela was causing problems for the Les Bleus defence as his side enjoyed more possession but finally France scored their first goal of the tournament when Florent Malouda hit the target in the 70th minute after Franck Ribery teed him up in front of an empty net.
The home side needed another few goals if they were any chance of pushing through to the Round of 16 but they didn't come and the dream of the Rainbow Nation was over as was a disastrous World Cup for the French.
Starting Line-Ups
FRA Hugo Lloris (gk), Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, Franck Ribery, Yoann Gourcuff, Djibril Cisse (Henry 55'), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Malouda 46'), Sebastien Squillaci, Alou Diarra (Govou 82'), Abou Diaby, Gael Clichy
Subs - Florent Malouda (46'), Thierry Henry (55'), Sidney Govou (82')
RSA Moeneeb Josephs (gk), Tsepo Masilela, Aaron Mokoena, Anele Ngconga (Gaxa 55'), MacBeth Sibaya, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Katlego Mphela, Steven Pienaar, Bernard Parker (Nomvethe 68'), Bongani Khumalo, Tanduyise Khuboni (Modise 78')
Subs - Siboniso Gaxa (55'), Siyabonga Nomvethe (68'), Teko Modise (78')
