Bloemfontein — It proved a bridge too far for South Africa but they swaggered off the World Cup stage with pride restored after beating France 2-1 at the Free State Stadium on Tuesday.
The home side were able to take advantage of a dispirited effort from the 1998 world champions, whose morale had been sapped by a player strike, a split camp and the sending home of star striker Nicolas Anelka.
France were handed an even bigger blow just 25 minutes into the match when their play maker Yoann Gourcuff got sent off, a harsh expulsion for leading in with the elbow on MacBeth Sibaya.
It allowed South Africa to dominate most of the match against 10 men, although they were already in the lead by then.
Bongani Khumalo handed South Africa a surprise 20th minute advantage after a horror mistake from French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who completely misjudged Siphiwe Tshababala’s corner.
Gourcuff’s dismissal allowed Bafana Bafana to run through France's defence, almost at will, for the final 65 minutes.
But it was another defensive slip that saw Bafana Bafana double their lead, Katlego Mphela bundling the ball home as he got the better of Gael Clichy ahead of Tsepo Masilela’s square ball.
A two-goal lead at halftime suddenly offered hope of miraculous recovery in the tournament for the hosts, particularly as Mexico were trailing to Uruguay by a goal at the same time.
Two more second-half goals would have seen them through, ahead of Mexico on goal difference.
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But the turning point came five minutes into the second half when Tshabalala put Mphela through but his shot came off the post. If South Africa had gone three up, they would have smelt the possibility of a miracle win.
But instead they were still up the side of the mountain and finding it hard to break down the French.
Ironically, the Blues got better and a dreadful defensive error, again committed by Aaron Mokoena, cost a goal with 20 minutes left. Frank Ribery, who had done nothing all night, suddenly sparked and squared for Florent Malouda to score.
There were late chances for Mphela and Tshabalala but the sense in the final 15 minutes was more of South Africa staying ahead of France than going for it and getting the extra goals they needed.
They leave the World Cup with a morale-booster but also the ignominy of being the first host side eliminated at the opening stage.
