JOHANNESBURG, (Reuters) – South Africa went out with heads high yesterday, despite being the only hosts ever to exit the World Cup’s first round, but France headed home in shame and Latin American giants Argentina cruised into the second round.
Nigeria, one of Africa’s few remaining hopes in the first World Cup on the continent, were eliminated after a 2-2 draw with South Korea. The Asian side qualified as second in Group B.
In a tournament dominated by Latin America, Argentina maintained a perfect record, scoring two late goals to eliminate a defensive Greek side and topped that group.
They join Brazil, Uruguay and Mexico in the second round.
While France go home and South Africa bow out of their own party, Uruguay headed Group A after a tight 1-0 win over Mexico who went through on goal difference over the hosts.
Former champions France came bottom of Group A, in their most wretched tournament result.
South Africa’s unwanted record as the first hosts to exit in the group stage, was tempered by an uplifting final performance from Bafana Bafana (The Boys) that left their vuvuzela-blowing fans smiling in Bloemfontein’s Free State stadium.
Playing their best game, Bafana scored twice in the first half before France got a consolation goal despite being down to 10 men for most of the match.
“I am proud of the boys. They made this country proud. They proved their good progression,” South Africa’s Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said, close to tears.
“It’s something that brings back people’s morale. It restores patriotism,” said Katiya Mongezi, 32, a trainee pilot celebrating in Johannesburg. “We might have lost the game but we’re still winning because we’re hosting the World Cup.”
FRENCH IMPLOSION
Diego Maradona made seven changes to his side and promoted Lionel Messi to be Argentina’s youngest World Cup captain for the match against Greece.
Messi was below his best and Argentina did not break Greek resistance until 13 minutes from time through Martin Demichelis, with Martin Palermo doubling the score in the 89th minute.
For France, runners-up at the last World Cup and winners in 1998, it could not have been a worse tournament.
They will return to a savaging from the French public and media after not only coming bottom of a group they were favourites to win, but also creating an unseemly side-show with their protests at the expulsion of striker Nicolas Anelka.
President Nicolas Sarkozy sent Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot to try and sort out the mess after players boycotted a training session in support of Anelka who was sent home for insulting coach Raymond Domenech.
“The match was a catastrophe. We’re all in despair after all this,” Bachelot told TF1 television.
Revolt leader and captain Patrice Evra was left out of the side on Tuesday, and France looked shell-shocked even before Yoann Gourcuff was sent off after 25 minutes.
Their implosion has brought soul-searching at home, with some saying it reflected deep weaknesses of materialistic modern society. Team sponsors have begun running for the door.
Uruguay and Mexico will be joyous at reaching the second stage and continuing a fantastic tournament so far for Latin America whose teams have shone from the off.
A clinical header by striker Luis Suarez after 43 minutes settled the game for Uruguay, champions in 1930 and 1950, against the fluent-passing Mexicans.
“The South American teams are showing in the World Cup we are here and we are up to the standard,” Maradona said.
South African leaders have appealed to the population to stick with the tournament, even without Bafana Bafana, worried that empty fan parks and stadium seats will rob the continent’s first World Cup of its atmosphere.