Review – Group A of the 2010 World Cup
With the hosts South Africa as the seeded team of this group, it was on verge of becoming quite an unattractive group until the name of probably the most decorated un-seeded team; France came out of the hat in group draws. The French team having all the established, recognised players of the club football world was the pre-tournament favourite to win this group. Alongside them were the two times former world champions Uruguay and a mix of the experience and youth in Mexico.
South Africa 1 Mexico 1: After creating and missing quite a few chances in the first half of the tournament’s opening match, Mexico was left in awe when Siphiwe Tshabalala put the hosts in front with a sublime goal from the edge of the penalty box. The atmosphere in the stadium and surely all along the African cape went electric. Africa must have had hoped that this was not only the first World Cup on their soil but also a tournament in which they could achieve something extraordinary. South Africa was only 11 minutes away from an emphatic victory when Rafael Marquez grabbed the equaliser.
Uruguay 0 France 0: After the group opener between South Africa and Mexico had ended in a draw, it was an opportunity for both Uruguay and France to get themselves ahead in the race for progress through this group. The French squad’s off the field problems became evident to the whole world, when they literally failed to show up in this match as there was some serious lack of teamwork and enthusiasm in the French team. Uruguay was the better side of the two but failed to capitalise on a number of chances that were created for a win.
South Africa 0 Uruguay 3: The host nation was humbled by a flamboyant display of attacking football by the Uruguayans. The South African team was under immense weight of expectations after their performance in the opening match against Mexico which proved a little too much to cope with. Diego Forlan opened the account scoring in first half and completed the brace from a penalty kick in the second half before Alvaro Pereira added the topping on the cake.
France 0 Mexico 2: In a miserable display of football by France, Mexico was far the better side. Goals from Javier Hernandez and Cuauhtemoc Blanco put the Mexicans on verge of qualification for the Round of 16 and the French for humiliating elimination from the group stage. Nicolas Anelka was sent home after this match after a reported bust-up with his coach Raymond Domenech and the rest of the team going on a strike the next day following their teammate’s expulsion.
France 1 South Africa 2: Despite winning the last group match through the first half goals from Bongani Khumelo and Katlego Mphela, South Africa became the first ever host nation to bow out of the World Cup from the group stage. They ended levelled on points with Mexico but were three goals worse off in the goal difference tally. For France, this was probably the lowest points standing in their football history. They could only score one goal in their three matches and get a single point in a goalless draw with Uruguay in the first match.
Mexico 0 Uruguay 1: Both Uruguay and Mexico needed a draw in this match to qualify for the knock out stage. Uruguay would top the group on better goal difference via a draw but they preferred to finish the group stage on a winning note and went for a win from start. Diego Forlan was again the key performer for Uruguay but it was his fellow striker Luis Suarez who got his name on the score board this time. Uruguay topped the group with Mexico in second position. They will face South Korea and Argentina, respectively, in the Round of 16.
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