Uruguay, Mexico in last 16
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Uruguay and Mexico reached the World Cup last 16 Tuesday, while 1998 champions and 2006 runners-up France and hosts South Africa were eliminated as Group A concluded, reports AFP.
Uruguay finished top after defeating Mexico 1-0 in Rustenburg with Luis Suarez nodding in Edinson Cavani's cross two minutes before the break, but Mexico took second spot.
Mexico had chances to equalise, with Andres Guardado rattling the crossbar, but the result was rendered academic and both countries qualified. Uruguay finished top of the group with seven points with Mexico as runners-up on four points, the same total as South Africa.
In Bloemfontein, South Africa's 2-1 win over France proved not enough for either side to advance. Bongani Khumalo and Katlego Mphela netted first-half goals for the South Africans but could not prevent their homeland becoming the first World Cup host nation to crash out in the first round. Florent Malouda scored France's consolation goal.
However, it hardly diminished the enthusiasm among tens of thousands of supporters packed into fan parks while on sidewalks, each goal was greeted with honking horns, trumpeting vuvuzelas and cheers. For many, disappointment fell second to immense pride at hosting the event and the remarkable show of national unity behind the team.
France's day went from bad to worse when Yoann Gourcuff was sent off after half an hour when he jumped for a header and referee Oscar Ruiz adjudged he had elbowed South Africa's MacBeth Sibaya in the face. France coach Raymond Domenech buried his head in his hands as Gourcuff left the field.
Uruguay finished top after defeating Mexico 1-0 in Rustenburg with Luis Suarez nodding in Edinson Cavani's cross two minutes before the break, but Mexico took second spot.
Mexico had chances to equalise, with Andres Guardado rattling the crossbar, but the result was rendered academic and both countries qualified. Uruguay finished top of the group with seven points with Mexico as runners-up on four points, the same total as South Africa.
In Bloemfontein, South Africa's 2-1 win over France proved not enough for either side to advance. Bongani Khumalo and Katlego Mphela netted first-half goals for the South Africans but could not prevent their homeland becoming the first World Cup host nation to crash out in the first round. Florent Malouda scored France's consolation goal.
However, it hardly diminished the enthusiasm among tens of thousands of supporters packed into fan parks while on sidewalks, each goal was greeted with honking horns, trumpeting vuvuzelas and cheers. For many, disappointment fell second to immense pride at hosting the event and the remarkable show of national unity behind the team.
France's day went from bad to worse when Yoann Gourcuff was sent off after half an hour when he jumped for a header and referee Oscar Ruiz adjudged he had elbowed South Africa's MacBeth Sibaya in the face. France coach Raymond Domenech buried his head in his hands as Gourcuff left the field.