South Africa beats France, leaves tournament with the head up

South Africa defeated France by 2-1 in the Free State Stadium of Bloemfontein, and both teams are out of the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. France failing to qualify was pretty much expected at this point, but the terrible image this French national team presented is definitely the epilogue for Raymond Domenech, a coach that disappointed fans like nobody else in history. Domenech has failed to inspire any players in his team, so the 6 changes he made to the roster today did not bring any changes on the field.

Playing against France, South Africa looked almost like…Brazil on the field. Siphiwe Tshabalala sent a corner from the right side in the heart of the French defence, and Bongani Khumalo scored the first goal with a header in 25′. Twelve minutes later Tsepo Masilela passed the ball to Katlego Mphela that literally went inside the net with it. In between the two goals Yoann Gourcuff was sent off the game with a very strict red card, crashing all hopes for the French.

With two goals on the back and one man down any team would struggle to come back, but France was simply pathetic for the most part of the game. in 51′ Tshabalala and Mphela exchanged the ball, with the latter hitting the post from close range. And in the 70th minute of the game France at least managed to score their first and only goal in the World Cup 2010 tournament, saving themselves from further embarrassment: Franck Ribéry made a nice sprint on the back of South Africa’s defence, passing the ball to Florent Malouda that just pushed it inside the empty net.