First News Headlines


World Cup news and results - day twelve (Tuesday 22)

Tuesday, 22 June 2010


Category - Sport

South Africa have become the first World Cup hosts to go out at the group stage of the tournament.

Even though they beat a poor France side 2-1, South Africa lost out to Mexico on goal difference. France's shocking tournament ended with them scoring just one goal and finishing bottom of Group A.

France got off to a bad start when Yoan Gourcuff was given a harsh red card for use of the elbow just five minutes after South Africa had gone a goal up. They scored a second before half-time, but failed to put away a few more excellent chances. They needed to win by a few goals to go through, but allowed France to pull one back, with Florent Malouda tapping in.

Uruguay beat Mexico 1-0 thanks to a header from Luis Suarez and topped Group A. Uruguay will now face South Korea in the round of 16, with Mexico facing Argentina in what could be a fantastic match.

Argentina won all of their games to top Group B, beating an awful Greece team 2-0 in their final match. Greece showed an almost total lack of ambition and will not be missed by many football fans. Greece failed to go through because South Korea took second place in the group by holding Nigeria to an exciting 2-2 draw. Nigeria missed a couple of excellent chances to win the game and go through, and continued the bad run of form of the African teams in the World Cup.

Results from Tuesday 22:

France 1-2 South Africa

Mexico 0-1 Uruguay

Greece 0-2 Argentina

Nigeria 2-2 South Korea