2010 FIFA World Cup Group A

Group A of the 2010 FIFA World Cup began on 11 June and ended on 22 June 2010.[1] The group consisted of host nation South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay and France.

France and South Africa previously met at the 1998 FIFA World Cup; France beat South Africa 3–0. France and Uruguay previously met at the 2002 FIFA World Cup; the match ended 0–0. France and Mexico were in the same group in the first tournament in the 1930 FIFA World Cup; 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 first round after finishing behind Mexico on goal difference. France, despite having made the final in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, also failed to advance after drawing one and losing two matches.

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
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tie-breaking criteria
(H) Host.

Matches

All times local (UTC+02)

South Africa vs Mexico

South Africa vs Mexico was the opening match of the World Cup, held on 11 June 2010.[2] It was described as an "enthralling" and "pulsating" match. 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.[3] In the final minutes of the match, Katlego Mphela almost scored a winning goal for South Africa, but his shot bounced off the post.[2]

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".[4]

South Africa 1–1 Mexico
Tshabalala  55' Report Márquez  79'
Attendance: 84,490
South Africa[6]
Mexico[6]
GK16Itumeleng Khune
RB2Siboniso Gaxa
CB4Aaron Mokoena (c)
CB20Bongani Khumalo
LB15Lucas Thwala 46'
RM8Siphiwe Tshabalala
CM13Kagisho Dikgacoi 27'
CM12Reneilwe Letsholonyane
LW11Teko Modise
SS10Steven Pienaar 83'
CF9Katlego Mphela
Substitutions:
DF3Tsepo Masilela 70' 46'
FW17Bernard Parker 83'
Manager:
Carlos Alberto Parreira
GK1Óscar Pérez
RB12Paul Aguilar 55'
CB5Ricardo Osorio
CB2Francisco Javier Rodríguez
LB3Carlos Salcido
DM4Rafael Márquez
CM16Efraín Juárez 18'
CM6Gerardo Torrado (c) 57'
RW17Giovani dos Santos
LW11Carlos Vela 69'
CF9Guillermo Franco 73'
Substitutions:
MF18Andrés Guardado 55'
FW10Cuauhtémoc Blanco 69'
FW14Javier Hernández 73'
Manager:
Javier Aguirre
South Africa vs Mexico

Man of the Match:
Siphiwe Tshabalala (South Africa)

Assistant referees:
Rafael Ilyasov (Uzbekistan)[5]
Bakhadyr Kochkarov (Kyrgyzstan)[5]
Fourth official:
Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh (Malaysia)[5]
Fifth official:
Mu Yuxin (China)[5]

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.[7] 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.[8] Domenech claimed after the match to be "happy with the overall performance".[9]

Uruguay 0–0 France
Report
Attendance: 64,100
Uruguay[10]
France[10]
GK1Fernando Muslera
RB6Mauricio Victorino 59'
CB2Diego Lugano (c) 90+3'
CB3Diego Godín
LB11Álvaro Pereira
RM16Maxi Pereira
CM15Diego Pérez 87'
CM17Egidio Arévalo
LM18Ignacio González 63'
CF10Diego Forlán
CF9Luis Suárez 74'
Substitutions:
MF14Nicolás Lodeiro 65'  81' 63'
FW13Sebastián Abreu 74'
MF8Sebastián Eguren 87'
Manager:
Óscar Tabárez
GK1Hugo Lloris
RB2Bacary Sagna
CB5William Gallas
CB3Eric Abidal
LB13Patrice Evra (c) 12'
DM14Jérémy Toulalan 68'
CM8Yoann Gourcuff 75'
CM19Abou Diaby
RW10Sidney Govou 85'
LW7Franck Ribéry 19'
CF21Nicolas Anelka 72'
Substitutions:
FW12Thierry Henry 72'
MF15Florent Malouda 75'
FW11André-Pierre Gignac 85'
Manager:
Raymond Domenech
Uruguay vs France warm up

Man of the Match:
Diego Forlán (Uruguay)

Assistant referees:
Toru Sagara (Japan)[5]
Jeong Hae-sang (South Korea)[5]
Fourth official:
Joel Aguilar (El Salvador)[5]
Fifth official:
William Torres (El Salvador)[5]

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.[11] 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.[11] Deep into injury time, Uruguay scored their third goal when Álvaro Pereira tapped in a Suárez cross.[11]

South Africa 0–3 Uruguay
Report
Attendance: 42,658
South Africa[12]
Uruguay[12]
GK16Itumeleng Khune 76'
RB2Siboniso Gaxa
CB4Aaron Mokoena (c)
CB20Bongani Khumalo
LB3Tsepo Masilela
RM8Siphiwe Tshabalala
CM13Kagisho Dikgacoi 42'
CM12Reneilwe Letsholonyane 57'
LW11Teko Modise
SS10Steven Pienaar 6' 79'
CF9Katlego Mphela
Substitutions:
MF19Surprise Moriri 57'
GK1Moeneeb Josephs 79'
Manager:
Carlos Alberto Parreira
GK1Fernando Muslera
RB16Maxi Pereira
CB2Diego Lugano (c)
CB3Diego Godín
LB4Jorge Fucile 71'
DM15Diego Pérez 90'
RM17Egidio Arévalo
LM11Álvaro Pereira
AM10Diego Forlán
CF9Luis Suárez
CF7Edinson Cavani 89'
Substitutions:
MF20Álvaro Fernández 71'
FW21Sebastián Fernández 89'
MF5Walter Gargano 90'
Manager:
Óscar Tabárez

Man of the Match:
Diego Forlán (Uruguay)

Assistant referees:
Matthias Arnet (Switzerland)[5]
Francesco Buragina (Switzerland)[5]
Fourth official:
Wolfgang Stark (Germany)[5]
Fifth official:
Jan-Hendrik Salver (Germany)[5]

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.[13] 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.[14]

France 0–2 Mexico
Report
Attendance: 35,370
France[15]
Mexico[15]
GK1Hugo Lloris
RB2Bacary Sagna
CB5William Gallas
CB3Eric Abidal 78'
LB13Patrice Evra (c)
CM14Jérémy Toulalan 45+1'
CM19Abou Diaby
RW10Sidney Govou 69'
AM7Franck Ribéry
LW15Florent Malouda
CF21Nicolas Anelka 46'
Substitutions:
FW11André-Pierre Gignac 46'
MF20Mathieu Valbuena 69'
Manager:
Raymond Domenech
GK1Óscar Pérez
RB5Ricardo Osorio
CB15Héctor Moreno 49'
CB2Francisco Javier Rodríguez 82'
LB3Carlos Salcido
DM4Rafael Márquez (c)
CM16Efraín Juárez 48' 55'
CM6Gerardo Torrado
RW17Giovani dos Santos
LW11Carlos Vela 31'
CF9Guillermo Franco 4' 62'
Substitutions:
MF7Pablo Barrera 31'
FW14Javier Hernández 55'
FW10Cuauhtémoc Blanco 62'
Manager:
Javier Aguirre

Man of the Match:
Javier Hernández (Mexico)

Assistant referees:
Hassan Kamranifar (Iran)[5]
Saleh Al Marzouqi (United Arab Emirates)[5]
Fourth official:
Peter O'Leary (New Zealand)[5]
Fifth official:
Matthew Taro (Solomon Islands)[5]

Mexico vs Uruguay
Mexico 0–1 Uruguay
Report Suárez  43'
Attendance: 33,425
Mexico[16]
Uruguay[16]
GK1Óscar Pérez
RB5Ricardo Osorio
CB2Francisco Javier Rodríguez
CB15Héctor Moreno 57'
LB3Carlos Salcido
RM6Gerardo Torrado
CM4Rafael Márquez
LM18Andrés Guardado 46'
AM17Giovani dos Santos
AM10Cuauhtémoc Blanco (c) 63'
CF9Guillermo Franco
Substitutions:
MF7Pablo Barrera 46'
MF8Israel Castro 86' 57'
FW14Javier Hernández 77' 63'
Manager:
Javier Aguirre
GK1Fernando Muslera
RB16Maxi Pereira
CB2Diego Lugano (c)
CB6Mauricio Victorino
LB4Jorge Fucile 68'
DM15Diego Pérez
RM17Egidio Arévalo
LM11Álvaro Pereira 77'
AM10Diego Forlán
CF9Luis Suárez 85'
CF7Edinson Cavani
Substitutions:
DF19Andrés Scotti 77'
MF20Álvaro Fernández 85'
Manager:
Óscar Tabárez

Man of the Match:
Luis Suárez (Uruguay)

Assistant referees:
Gabor Eros (Hungary)[5]
Tibor Vamos (Hungary)[5]
Fourth official:
Martin Hansson (Sweden)[5]
Fifth official:
Stefan Wittberg (Sweden)[5]

France vs South Africa
France 1–2 South Africa
Malouda  70' Report
Attendance: 39,415
France[17]
South Africa[17]
GK1Hugo Lloris
RB2Bacary Sagna
CB5William Gallas
CB17Sébastien Squillaci
LB22Gaël Clichy
CM18Alou Diarra (c) 82'
CM19Abou Diaby 71'
RW11André-Pierre Gignac 46'
AM8Yoann Gourcuff 25'
LW7Franck Ribéry
CF9Djibril Cissé 55'
Substitutions:
MF15Florent Malouda 46'
FW12Thierry Henry 55'
FW10Sidney Govou 82'
Manager:
Raymond Domenech
GK1Moeneeb Josephs
RB5Anele Ngcongca 55'
CB4Aaron Mokoena (c)
CB20Bongani Khumalo
LB3Tsepo Masilela
CM6MacBeth Sibaya
CM23Thanduyise Khuboni 78'
RW10Steven Pienaar
LW8Siphiwe Tshabalala
CF9Katlego Mphela
CF17Bernard Parker 68'
Substitutions:
DF2Siboniso Gaxa 55'
FW18Siyabonga Nomvethe 68'
MF11Teko Modise 78'
Manager:
Carlos Alberto Parreira

Man of the Match:
Katlego Mphela (South Africa)

Assistant referees:
Abraham González (Colombia)[5]
Humberto Clavijo (Colombia)[5]
Fourth official:
Héctor Baldassi (Argentina)[5]
Fifth official:
Ricardo Casas (Argentina)[5]

References
  1. "Match Schedule 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa" (PDF) (Press release). fifa.com. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Tongue, Steve (12 June 2010). "Marquez damps down incendiary show of South African pride". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  5. "2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Match Appointments" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 24 June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
  6. "Tactical Line-up – Group A – South Africa-Mexico" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 11 June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 July 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  7. "French held by Uruguay". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 June 2010. Archived from the original on 14 June 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  8. "Zinedine Zidane critical of France team". Associated Press. 14 June 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  9. "France frustrated by stalemate". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 June 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  10. "Tactical Line-up – Group A – Uruguay-France" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 12 June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  12. "Tactical Line-up – Group A – South Africa-Uruguay" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 16 June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 July 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  13. "French Revolt leaves Raymond Domenech High and Dry". The Guardian. 21 June 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  14. "French football in chaos after players' mutiny". Agence France Press. Google. 20 June 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2010.
  15. "Tactical Line-up – Group A – France-Mexico" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  16. "Tactical Line-up – Group A – Mexico-Uruguay" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 22 June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 July 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  17. "Tactical Line-up – Group A – France-South Africa" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 22 June 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
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