History was made at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, as South Africa was knocked out of the World Cup despite a 2-1 win over France. No host nation has ever exited the world cup during the group stages but Bafana Bafana found themselves on the wrong side of history due to goal difference.

South Africa went into the last round of group matches with a slim hope of qualifying after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Uruguay last week. They needed to score more than three goals and hope either Uruguay or Mexico lose. Though Uruguay did the African side a favour by beating Mexico 1-0, Bafana Bafana failed to produce enough goals to see them through.

With thousands of fans roaring behind them, Bafana Bafana had a dream start to the match. Facing French side that had abandoned training on Saturday sent their star Chelsea striker, Nicolas Anelka, home and left out their captain Patrice Evra on disciplinary grounds, the hosts would not have wished to play a more demoralised opponent. The 1998 World Cup Champions were not at their best and South Africa made them pay; a deep corner form Siphiwe Tshabalala met the head of Bongani Khumalo who expertly guided the ball into the back of the net after 20 minutes.

Things went from bad to worse for France six minutes later, as midfielder Yoann Gourcuff was sent off for using an elbow in an aerial challenge. The beleaguered expression on French striker Djibril Cisse said it all; the tie was over as a contest.

 Sure enough, the hosts added to the sorrow of their embattled European opponents by scoring a second goal.  In the 37th minute, the French defence indescribably failed to handle a swift South African move and Katlego Mphela bundled the ball into the net from one yard out. The crowd was going wild and France was sinking without a trace.

Moments later, things got sweeter for the hosts as Uruguay scored a goal against Mexico just before half time. This meant South Africa would have only need two more goals in the second half to qualify.

However, France had other plans. Though the French players knew that it’s all curtains for them in this tournament, they fought resiliently for the pride of their country. Their efforts paid off in the 72nd minute as they pulled back one goal. A superb move that began in the centre half saw Frank Rebery run through one on one with the goal keeper before squaring the ball into the central penalty area where Florent Malouda smacked the ball into the empty net. 

Facing a hard fighting French side and with only 18 minutes to go, scoring three goals was going to be difficult for Bafana Bafana. The task proved too hard and soon the final whistle went. Hopes of an entire nation and the optimism of an entire continent had been let down. South Africa and France, both of which were tipped by analysts to make it to the next round, have been knocked out. Uruguay and Mexico are the surprise winners of Group A.