It was a day of joy and pain in South Africa – joy for Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina and Korea Republic, who all advanced to the last 16, but pain for hosts South Africa, who bowed out along with three other sides despite a valiant victory over France.
Uruguay claimed first place in Group A after a third successive clean sheet helped secure a 1-0 win over Mexico, who nonetheless pipped South Africa to second place on goal difference. It brought an unwanted piece of history for Carlos Alberto Parreira's men, who became the first hosts to fall in the first round, although at least they went down fighting. Indeed for a short time in Bloemfontein, Bafana Bafana had their fans dreaming, building a 2-0 half-time lead against a France side reduced to ten men by Yoan Gourcuff's dismissal. With Uruguay beating Mexico, suddenly the dream was on, but chances went begging and Florent Malouda's reply ended any hope of securing the swing in goal difference that Bafana required to deny Mexico second place.
There was further disappointment for African football fans with Nigeria's elimination later in the day following a 2-2 draw with Korea Republic who progressed along with Argentina, section winners after beating Greece 2-0 to claim maximum points in Group B and send home Otto Rehhagel's side. Lionel Messi became Argentina's youngest captain at the FIFA World Cup™ at 22 years and 363 days but the night finished with the squad's golden oldie, Martin Palermo, celebrating after became his country's oldest scorer on the world stage at 36 years and 277 days when netting their second. Next up for La Albiceleste will be Mexico, their opponents at the last-16 stage four years ago, while Uruguay will face the South Koreans.
source:http://www.fifa.com
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