France, SA out of FIFA

Johannesburg: Hosts South Africa and former winners France went out of the FIFA World Cup after the hosts beat the troubled 2006 runners-up 2-1 in their final Group A match.

Though South Africa had defeated France, it not enough for the host country to progress as Uruguay and Mexico finished in the top two places. France suffered the ignominy of coming last in the group.

South Africa became the first host country to go out of the World Cup in the first round since the tournament began in 1930.

In another match, Uruguay beat Mexico 1-0 in Rustenburg to finish on seven points with the Mexicans edging out South Africa on goal difference after both teams finished on four points.

Meanwhile, Argentina and South Korea advanced to the second round as Greece and Nigeria made their exits.

Argentina, who beat Greece 2-0 in Polokwane, finished top of Group B and will play Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg in the second round. South Korea, who drew 2-2 with Nigeria in Durban, will play Uruguay in second round.

Argentina's reserve team easily downed Greece 2-0 at the World Cup, with second-half goals from Martin Palermo and defender Martin Demichelis.

South Korea drew 2-2 in a tense Group B match with Nigeria. Nigeria had taken the lead in the 12th minute when Kalu Uche side-footed in a right wing cross from Chidi Odiah and the Africans pressed hard for a second.

In return, Lee Jung-soo stooped by the far post as a South Korean free kick was floated into the box and somehow scrambled the ball into the net for an equaliser. Park Chu-young scored a second for the Koreans in the 49th minute. Yakubu Aiyegbeni equalised with a penalty in the 69th minute.

Jun 23, 2010