France 1-2 South Africa
South Africa 2010 | Group stage
Free State Stadium, Mangaung/Bloemfontein
Attendance: 39,415
France goal: Malouda (70)
South Africa goals: Khumalo (20), Mphela (37)
Teams
Coach: Raymond Domenech
Starting XI: Hugo Lloris; Bacary Sagna, Sebastien Squillaci, William Gallas, Gael Clichy; Abou Diaby, Alou Diarra; Andre-Pierre Gignac, Yoann Gourcuff, Franck Ribery; Djibril Cisse
Substitutions: Florent Malouda for Gignac (HT), Thierry Henry for Cisse (55), Sidney Govou for Diarra (82)
Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira
Starting XI: Moneeb Josephs; Anele Ngcongca, Aaron Mokoena, Bongani Khumalo, Tsepo Masilela; Steven Pienaar, MacBeth Sibaya, Thanduyise Khuboni, Siphiwe Tshabalala; Katlego Mphela, Bernard Parker
Substitutions: Siboniso Gaxa for Ngcongca (55), Siyabonga Nomvethe for Parker (68), Teko Modise for Khuboni (78)
Hitherto head-to-head record
2 France wins
1 draw
0 South Africa wins
Going into the game
The hosts had drawn their curtain-raiser against Mexico, in which Siphiwe Tshabalala scored a stunning goal, before falling to eventual semi-finalists Uruguay. With that pair facing off in the other match, Bafana Bafana knew they had to win here, pray the other contest didn’t finish in a draw, and overturn a goal difference swing of three to make the knockouts.
In terms of game state, France’s situation was the same, but the atmosphere around the 2006 finalists couldn’t have been more stark. A bust-up between coach Raymond Domenech and Florent Malouda on the eve of their opening-day draw with Uruguay set the tone for a tumultuous tournament. Another row, this time with Nicolas Anelka at half-time in their defeat to Mexico, saw the forward sent home. That prompted a mutiny among the squad, who famously abandoned an open training session and retreated to the team bus in front of the world’s media.
The incident, known as ‘Knysna’ after the area of South Africa where it occurred, resulted in the squad writing a statement laying bare their “opposition” to the decision to send Anelka home. Domenech read it out to the press in one of the most jaw-dropping moments in World Cup history. While the players would later apologise, the dye had been cast on a troubled tournament ahead of their final group match.
The game
The hosts were greeted by an ear-splitting atmosphere at Free State Stadium. Despite the ferocious home support and France’s off-field issues, though, Domenech’s side started well. Andre-Pierre Gignac broke into the box down the left and tested Moeneeb Josephs, before Djibril Cisse, in for the expelled Anelka, had a header caught by the South Africa No1.
That quick start dissipated, and the hosts soon gained control. Tshabalala sent in a corner from the right which Hugo Lloris misjudged, allowing Bongani Khumalo to dominate Abou Diaby in a back-post duel and head Bafana Bafana in front in the 20th minute.
France went from the ropes to the canvas over the course of the next 17 minutes. Yoann Gourcuff, another player brought into the XI, was sent off for an elbow on MacBeth Sibaya. They held on for 12 minutes before Tsepo Masilela rifled across the six-yard box for Katlego Mphela to bundle in. He had the ball in the net again less than 60 seconds later, but had strayed offside.
With Uruguay leading Mexico 1-0, South Africa knew two more goals – or one more and a further Celeste strike – would be enough. Five minutes after the break Mphela was sent through again, only to see his first-time effort crash off the post. Lloris made a series of saves thereafter, before Frank Ribery broke through and set up Malouda to tap in a consolation for the French, which ended the hosts’ hopes of making the last 16.
Quotes
“I’m so proud for the boys. The way our boys played from the very beginning, they made this country proud. They proved that they have made good progress.”
Carlos Alberto Parreira, South Africa coach
“People can never say that we didn’t do our best. Through football, we have brought the whole nation together. We have shown that we are one country and that’s all we need to say. This is probably the biggest win our history. France reached the last World Cup final, so we have to be proud. Just look at their players. They all play for big clubs, so I am proud of my team.”
Steven Pienaar, South Africa winger
“I’m sad. I wish my successor and the French team the best of luck. Because I loved the French team, it was an extraordinary time. There’s more to come, the French team never dies. It will continue and, I assure you, there is real potential. There are players coming up who are eager to make their mark. And this team has everything it needs to succeed.”
Raymond Domenech, France coach
“We have failed from a sporting point of view and in terms of the image that we’ve shown to the world. The way that they see France right now is a disaster and we, as players, are the first people responsible for that. We have to work hard to restore the image of the French national team in the world.”
Florent Malouda, France winger
Stats
250
It took 250 minutes for France to net at South Africa 2010. Their only longer World Cup drought came at Korea/Japan 2002, when they played all 270 group-stage minutes without scoring as they finished bottom of Group A.
20
This match marked Lloris’ third at the World Cup. Across South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 he’d go on to make 20 appearances – the most of any Frenchman. That tally places him joint-ninth on the all-time list alongside the likes of Cafu and Javier Mascherano.
7
In total, seven of France’s 23-player squad who travelled to South Africa never played for the national team again: Nicolas Anelka, William Gallas, Sidney Gouvou, Thierry Henry, Marc Planus, Sebastien Squillaci and Jeremy Toulalan. Lloris and Steve Mandanda returned to the World Cup eight years later for their success in Russia.
