This is it! A draw and both teams go through, but a loss opens the door for France or South Africa. Importantly, a draw puts Mexico in second in Group A which would mean that they face powerhouse Argentina in the next round. I don’t think anyone wants to face Argentina in round two.
We’re in the final games of the first round which means that France v. South Africa is being played simultaneously. After all the turmoil for Les Bleus in the last few days, a victory would certainly be welcome and, depending on this game, give them a chance of moving into the second round.
Uruguay with an early chance that goes wide; Mexico just misses a Blanco header moments later.
Credit to both teams in the opening 20 minutes. It’s a wide-open, entertaining game. France v. South Africa: SA takes the early lead 1-0 on a corner badly misplayed by the French keeper.
Gourcuff gets a red card in the France game. France down to 10 men. South Africa scores again in the 36th minute. 2-0 South Africa with French hopes nearly extinguished.
Uruguay! In the 43rd minute on a deep cross. 1-0 Uruguay. That’s great news for South Africa. Uruguayan player was wide open. Had no problem at all heading it in on the run. 1-0 at half.
Two great chances for Uruguay in the 8th minute of the 2nd. Great save from the keeper on the first, good defense on the second.
France scores! 2-1 South Africa. Terrible news for South Africa’s second round hopes.
19 minutes into the 2nd Mexico misses a pointblank header. Really should have equalized.
Yellow to Uruguayan defender in the 22nd minute of the 2nd. As it stands right now and if nothing changes, Uruguay wins group and Mexico gets second.
Mexico applying a lot of pressure—and good for them—but they’d need two goals to change the standings.
The game has turned chippy. I’m guessing more cards coming soon. About 10 minutes left.
There’s a yellow to Mexico.
And that’s the game. Uruguay wins the game 1-0 and Group A. Mexico backs into 2nd place and will play Argentina (good luck) in the next round.
South Africa, who played with flair and heart, and, it must be said, who have been good hosts, exit after their 2-1 victory over France, losing 2nd in Group A to Mexico on goal differential.
France finish their farcical tourney in utter shambles. Apparently they benched team captain Patrick Evra for today’s game. After sending home their top striker, the resignations of their Football Association president and an assistant coach, and the team’s refusal to train on Sunday, you couldn’t ask for a bigger soap opera. Four years after finishing second (and deserving first given the flopping of the hated Italians), France soccer is in disarray.