Group A of the 2010 FIFA World Cup began on 11 June and ended on 22 June 2010. The group consisted of host nation South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay and the runners-up from 2006, France.
France and South Africa previously met at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, when then-hosts France beat South Africa 3–0. They also previously met with Uruguay at the 2002 FIFA World Cup; the match ended in a 0–0 draw. France and Mexico were in the same group at the first ever World Cup in 1930; the two nations played the first-ever World Cup match and France won 4–1. France and Mexico had also met in 1954 but neither team qualified for the next round. This is also the second time that France, Mexico and Uruguay have been drawn in the same group with the host nation. They were grouped with England in 1966, when England and Uruguay advanced to the next round.
South Africa became the first World Cup host team to fail to advance past the group stage after finishing behind Mexico on goal difference. France, despite having made the final at the previous edition of the World Cup, were also eliminated after drawing one and losing two matches, including one against South Africa.
Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uruguay | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Mexico | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 | |
| 3 | South Africa (H) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 4 | |
| 4 | France | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 1 |
- Uruguay advanced to play South Korea (runners-up of Group B) in the round of 16.
- Mexico advanced to play Argentina (winners of Group B) in the round of 16.
Matches
All times local (UTC+2)
South Africa vs Mexico
South Africa vs Mexico was the opening match of the World Cup, held on 11 June 2010. It was described as an "enthralling" and "pulsating" match. Mexico put the ball in the net first, but it was offside. South Africa opened the scoring in the 55th minute after Siphiwe Tshabalala scored off a pass through Mexico's defence by Kagiso Dikgacoi. Mexico's captain Rafael Márquez equalised following a corner kick in the 79th minute. In the final minutes of the match, Katlego Mphela almost scored a winning goal for South Africa, but his shot bounced off the post.
Tshabalala was named as the man of the match. South Africa's coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira called the result "fair", while Mexico's coach Javier Aguirre stated "we could have won, we could have lost".
| South Africa | 1–1 | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Tshabalala 55' | Report | Márquez 79' |
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Uruguay vs France
France and Uruguay faced each other on 11 June 2010 at the Cape Town Stadium. Despite a red card being given to Uruguay substitute Nicolás Lodeiro in the second half, Uruguay were able to hold a "lacklustre" France to a 0–0 draw. After the match, former World Cup-winning French player Zinedine Zidane criticised the French team and particularly coach Raymond Domenech for a lack of teamwork. Domenech claimed after the match to be "happy with the overall performance".
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South Africa vs Uruguay
Uruguay took the lead in the 24th minute, when Diego Forlán launched a shot from 30 yards out that beat goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, who did not attempt to save the shot. In the second half, Luis Suárez was left through on goal, but he was brought down by Khune. Referee Massimo Busacca awarded a penalty and showed Khune a red card. Deep into injury time, Uruguay scored their third goal when Álvaro Pereira tapped in a Suárez cross.
| South Africa | 0–3 | Uruguay |
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Uruguay
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France vs Mexico
Mexico's 2–0 victory over France in Polokwane was overshadowed by French striker Nicolas Anelka launching a tirade of abuse towards coach Raymond Domenech during the half-time interval. Anelka was subsequently dismissed from the squad, which resulted in many squad members, including captain Patrice Evra, boycotting training in the lead-up to the final group stage match against South Africa.
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Mexico
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Mexico vs Uruguay
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Uruguay
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France vs South Africa
| France | 1–2 | South Africa |
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| Malouda 70' | Report |
France
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South Africa
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See also
- France at the FIFA World Cup
- Mexico at the FIFA World Cup
- South Africa at the FIFA World Cup
- Uruguay at the FIFA World Cup
References
- ^ "Match Schedule 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa" (PDF). FIFA.com (Press release). Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 December 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
- ^ a b Holt, Oliver (11 June 2010). "South Africa 1-1 Mexico: The Daily Mirror match report". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 12 June 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
- ^ Maasdorp, James (12 June 2010). "South Africa draws in pulsating WC opener". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 14 June 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
- ^ Tongue, Steve (12 June 2010). "Marquez damps down incendiary show of South African pride". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad "2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Match Appointments" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 24 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group A – South Africa-Mexico" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 11 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 July 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
- ^ "French held by Uruguay". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 June 2010. Archived from the original on 14 June 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
- ^ "Zinedine Zidane critical of France team". Associated Press. 14 June 2010. Archived from the original on 18 June 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
- ^ "France frustrated by stalemate". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 June 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group A – Uruguay-France" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 12 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
- ^ a b c "Forlan silences South Africa". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 7 April 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group A – South Africa-Uruguay" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 16 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 July 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
- ^ "French Revolt leaves Raymond Domenech High and Dry". The Guardian. 21 June 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
- ^ "French football in chaos after players' mutiny". Agence France Press. 20 June 2010. Archived from the original on 25 June 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group A – France-Mexico" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group A – Mexico-Uruguay" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 22 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 July 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group A – France-South Africa" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 22 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 September 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2010.