France endured a wretched World Cup that culminated in crashing out at the group stage after a 2-1 defeat by hosts South Africa in Bloemfontein.
The Bafana Bafana took the lead after 20 minutes when Bongani Khumalo headed home after France keeper Hugo Lloris had missed Siphiwe Tshabalala's corner.
France's task was made even more difficult after the unfortunate Yoann Gourcuff was dismissed for elbowing MacBeth Sibaya as the two jumped to contest the ball in the 25th minute.
Things went from bad to worse for the French 17 minutes later as Katlego Mphela grabbed a second goal from close range after France had twice failed to deal with crosses into the box.
Les Bleus got a goal back on when Franck Ribéry set up substitute Florent Malouda to roll the ball into an empty net with 20 minutes remaining.
Lineups:
France: Hugo Lloris; Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, Sébastien Squillaci, Gaël Clichy; Abou Diaby, Alou Diarra (Sidney Govou, 82), Franck Ribéry, Yoann Gourcuff; André-Pierre Gignac (Florent Malouda, 46), Djibril Cissé (Thierry Henry, 55)
South Africa: Moeneeb Josephs; Anele Ngcongca (Siboniso Gaxa, 55), Aaron Mokoena, Bongani Khumalo, Tsepo Masilela; Steven Pienaar, MacBeth Sibaya, Thanduyise Khuboni (Teko Modise, 78), Siphiwe Tshabalala; Bernard Parker (Siyabonga Nomvethe, 68), Katlego Mphela
Statistics:
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The Bafana Bafana took the lead after 20 minutes when Bongani Khumalo headed home after France keeper Hugo Lloris had missed Siphiwe Tshabalala's corner.
France's task was made even more difficult after the unfortunate Yoann Gourcuff was dismissed for elbowing MacBeth Sibaya as the two jumped to contest the ball in the 25th minute.
Things went from bad to worse for the French 17 minutes later as Katlego Mphela grabbed a second goal from close range after France had twice failed to deal with crosses into the box.
Les Bleus got a goal back on when Franck Ribéry set up substitute Florent Malouda to roll the ball into an empty net with 20 minutes remaining.
Lineups:
France: Hugo Lloris; Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, Sébastien Squillaci, Gaël Clichy; Abou Diaby, Alou Diarra (Sidney Govou, 82), Franck Ribéry, Yoann Gourcuff; André-Pierre Gignac (Florent Malouda, 46), Djibril Cissé (Thierry Henry, 55)
South Africa: Moeneeb Josephs; Anele Ngcongca (Siboniso Gaxa, 55), Aaron Mokoena, Bongani Khumalo, Tsepo Masilela; Steven Pienaar, MacBeth Sibaya, Thanduyise Khuboni (Teko Modise, 78), Siphiwe Tshabalala; Bernard Parker (Siyabonga Nomvethe, 68), Katlego Mphela
Statistics:
| France | South Africa | |
| 1 | Goals | 2 |
| 3 | Shots on target | 8 |
| 5 | Shots off target | 10 |
| 3 | Corners | 5 |
| 10 | Fouls | 12 |
| 5 | Offsides | 3 |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 0 |
| 1 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 44 | Ball possession (%) | 56 |
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