Tuesday June 22nd

Group A

Hosts out with a win

South Africa 2 France 1 (Bloemfontein)
South Africa were knocked out on goal difference despite a win over the troubled French. As Lloris failed to connect with a corner in the 19th minute the ball was met by the Khumalo who headed it in to give South Africa hope which was increased 5 minutes later when Gourcuff was shown a red card for using his elbow. Bafana Bafana went further ahead in the 37th minute when a ball was whipped into the 6 yard box and bundled over the line by Mphela. A free-kick from Ribery on the left eluded everyone in the box forcing Josephs into a great reaction save in the 40th minute and 3 minutes later at the other end Lloris got a hand to a strike by Mphela who also came close 6 minutes after the break when he received a great pass from Tshabalala but hit the woodwork and was on target in the 57th minute but denied by Lloris. France pulled a goal back with 20 minutes to go when Ribery ran into the box and squared the ball for a Malouda tap-in. The win was not enough to save South Africa from elimination.

Group A

Uruguay top the group

Uruguay 1 Mexico 0 (Rustenburg)

A win for Uruguay ensured top spot for the South Americans who progress together with their opponents Mexico. Uruguay created some chances in the first 20 minutes which were off target and in the 22nd minute Guardado smashed the underside of the Uruguay crossbar from 35 yards, but the goal for Uruguay came 2 minutes before the break when Cavani crossed the ball for Suarez to head in unchallenged at the far post. Lugano saw his 54th minute header saved by Perez in the Mexico goal and 10 minutes later at the other end Rodriguez missed the target with a glancing header from in front of goal. Cavani tested Perez with a long-range shot 2 minutes from time.

Group B

Nigerian misses sends Korea through

South Korea 2 Nigeria 2 (Durban)

South Korea booked a place in the next round with an exciting draw against Nigeria. In the 12th minute Odiah ran down the right flank and crossed the ball for Uche to turn in for Nigeria, and it was Uche's rasping shot that struck the base of the post in the 36th minute, but 2 minutes later Lee Jung Soo ran onto a cross from a free-kick to stick the ball in at the far post and 4 minutes into the 2nd half South Korea took the lead when Park Chu Young found the corner of the net from a free-kick. Another effort from Park Chu Young whistled past the post in the 54th minute, but with Nigeria needing win the Africans pushed forward and in the 66th minute Ayila got to the by-line and delivered the ball on a plate to Yakubu who incredibly missed an open goal from a yard out. Yakubu somewhat made up for his miss when he sent the Korean keeper the wrong way from the spot 2 minutes later, but Martins was also guilty of a glaring miss when he dinked the keeper but wide of the post with 10 minutes remaining. The elusive third goal proved costly as the Super Eagles fly home.

Group B

Argentina dispose of Greece

Argentina 2 Greece 0 (Polokwane)

Argentina made it 3 wins out of 3 with a routine win over Greece. Aguero skipped past 3 defenders and hit the ball on the run for Tzorvas to push out for a corner in the 18th minute which ended up with Veron having a crack from 30 yards forcing the Greek keeper to palm over the bar. Tzorvas also kept out efforts from Maxi Rodriguez and Messi at the end of the first half. Greece had a chance 3 minutes after the break when Samaras got past Demichelis and beat the keeper with his shot across goal which flew wide of the post. Tzorvas made a point-blank save from Bolatti at the near post in the 68th minute but Tzorvas was finally beaten in the 77th minute when a corner fell to Demichelis who smashed it into the roof of the net. Messi ran into the box and hammered the ball off the post in the 86th minute and 3 minutes later a thumping shot from Messi after he had skipped past 2 players was parried by the keeper and Palermo finished off the game and any hopes the Greeks may have had.