France lose

JOHANNESBURG (AP):

France's disastrous World Cup campaign ended in a loss yesterday, a result that also dragged South Africa out of the tournament and left Uruguay and Mexico with places in the round of 16.

In Rustenburg, two-time champions Uruguay defeated Mexico 1-0 and won Group A.

Mexico and South Africa each had four points, but the Mexicans advanced on goal difference.

France were held to a 0-0 draw by Uruguay in their opening match and then lost to Mexico 2-0. The chaos started shortly thereafter, when striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home for refusing to apologise to the coach after insulting him.

Then the players decided to skip a day of practice to protest that decision, further disrupting an already faltering World Cup campaign.

Yesterday's match just added to the negative image most have of France coach Raymond Domenech, who benched captain Patrice Evra for his final match in charge.

"The whole of France need to have an explanation for this disaster," Evra said. "It's not the time to give them, but I will personally give them ... what I went through, just the truth, as quickly as possible."

Khumalo gave South Africa the lead when he beat Abou Diaby in the 20th minute and scored from Siphiwe Tshabalala's cross. Mphela added a second in the 37th, scoring from Tsepo Masilela's cross.

Early goal

"The early goal helped a lot," Khumalo said. "I really thought we could pull through."

Both goals came after France were reduced to 10 men in the 25th when Yoann Gourcuff was sent off for elbowing Macbeth Sibaya.

Florent Malouda scored France's only goal of the tournament in the 70th. That goal gave them one more than in 2002, when the then defending champion French were also eliminated in the first round.

Luis Suarez scored Uruguay's goal against Mexico in the 43rd, heading in a cross from Edinson Cavani.

"The important thing is that we qualified in first place," Uruguay striker Diego Forlan said. "They controlled the ball well and in truth it was quite hard for us."

Uruguay did not concede a goal in the first round.