Match report: France 1 - 2 South Africa

Raymond Domenech and his players wanted to achieve this summer, but after a week of chaos within the French camp, at least they made somebody happy of their fans.

Reduced to ten men following the first-half dismissal of Yoann Gourcuff, France was outplayed by the hosts, who claimed victory with first-half goals from Katiego Mphela and Bongani Khumalo.

Florent Malouda’s late goal was no solace for France and the unpleasant taste left by their World Cup contribution was amplified with Domenech refusing to tremble the hand of South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira at the end of the game.

Go home France. Good exclusion.

Since the exclusion of Nicolas Anelka on Saturday for vocally abusing Domenech, the players have boycotted training, there has been talk of ‘traitors’ in the camp and French Sports minister Roselyne Bachelot acknowledged Les Bleus could ‘no longer be heroes for our children.’

Domenech, who accused his players of being ‘indescribably stupid,’ made six changes from the starting line-up in the 2-0 crush against Mexico. He could have made eleven.

South Africa, needing a five-goal swing and a crush for Mexico in opposition to Uruguay to have any hope of qualification, required all the help they might obtain.

Khumalo outjumped Abou Diaby to bunch the ball into the net with his shoulder, Hugo Lloris, the highly-rated French goalkeeper, misapprehend Siphiwe Tshabalala’s corner.

The red card was welcomed by Domenech placing his head in his hands, but South Africa now sensed a chance and they decanted forward.

Yet poorer French protecting endorsed Tsepo Masilela to cross to the far post, where Mphela knocked the ball into the blank net.

Mphela approximately made it 3-0 on 43 minutes with a low strike from far that was intensely saved by Lloris.

Thierry Henry replaced the unsuccessful Djibril Cisse, but South Africa continued to dominate, with Mphela striking the crossbar before having another lengthy range effort saved.

The missed chances in danger of extinction to prove expensively, especially with the margins so tight for the home team.

And the twist was taken out of South Africa’s sails on 70 minutes when Malouda scored for France after being teed up by Franck Ribery 12 yards out.

The superb goal destroyed South Africa’s dream, but for France, the nightmare will go on and on.