2010 FIFA World Cup, Group A: Uruguay And Mexico Advance; Bafana Bafana Top Listless Bleus

The second half of this year's World Cup commenced with the start of the third and final cycle of matches in the group stage on Tuesday, starting with the two Group A matches that took place in South Africa.

At Rustenburg:

Luis Suarez scored the only goal of the match at 43 minutes (pictured here celebrating; photo by Matt Dunham, AP) as Uruguay defeated Mexico 1-0 to win Group A.  El Tri also advanced to the knockout stage because the superior goal differential vis-a-viv South Africa.

At Bloemfontein:

In clearly their best performance at this year's tournament, South Africa defeated demoralized and ten-man France 2-1.  Despite the win, the South Africans were still eliminated, along with Les Bleus, from the tournament due to inferior goal differential vis-a-viv Mexico thus becoming the first host nation to be eliminated in the opening round of the World Cup.  Bongani Khumalo (20', that's him celebrating; photo by Themba Hadabe, AP) and Katlego Mphela (38') each tallied a goal for Bafana Bafana.

FINAL GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. Uruguay (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
2. Mexico (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS; 3)
3. South Africa (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 3)
4. France (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)

Uruguay and Mexico advanced to the Round of 16.