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2010 FIFA World Cup Group A

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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 the runners-up from 2006, France.

France and South Africa previously met at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, when then-hosts France beat South Africa 3–0. They also previously met with Uruguay at the 2002 FIFA World Cup; the match ended in a 0–0 draw. France and Mexico were in the same group at the first ever World Cup in 1930; 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 group stage after finishing behind Mexico on goal difference. France, despite having made the final at the previous edition of the World Cup, were also eliminated after drawing one and losing two matches, including one against South Africa.

Standings

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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) Hosts

Matches

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All times local (UTC+2)

South Africa vs Mexico

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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. Mexico put the ball in the net first, but it was offside. South Africa opened the scoring in the 55th minute after Siphiwe Tshabalala scored with a left foot shot to the top right corner of the net from the left of the penalty area after a pass through Mexico's defence by Kagiso Dikgacoi. Mexico's captain Rafael Márquez equalised following a corner kick in the 79th minute with a shot to the right of the net from five yards out on the right.[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]

This opening match was played again as the opener for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on 11 June 2026, exactly 16 years later, with Mexico now hosting South Africa.

South Africa 1–1 Mexico
 [Report 1]
Attendance: 84,490
South Africa[5]
Mexico[5]
GK16Itumeleng Khune
RB2Siboniso Gaxa
CB4Aaron Mokoena (c)
CB20Bongani Khumalo
LB15Lucas Thwaladownward-facing red arrow 46'
RM8Siphiwe Tshabalala
CM13Kagisho DikgacoiYellow card 27'
CM12Reneilwe Letsholonyane
LM11Teko Modise
SS10Steven Pienaardownward-facing red arrow 83'
CF9Katlego Mphela
Substitutions:
DF3Tsepo MasilelaYellow card 70'upward-facing green arrow 46'
FW17Bernard Parkerupward-facing green arrow 83'
Manager:
Brazil Carlos Alberto Parreira
GK1Óscar Pérez
RB12Paul Aguilardownward-facing red arrow 55'
CB5Ricardo Osorio
CB2Francisco Javier Rodríguez
LB3Carlos Salcido
DM4Rafael Márquez
CM16Efraín JuárezYellow card 18'
CM6Gerardo Torrado (c)Yellow card 57'
RW17Giovani dos Santos
LW11Carlos Veladownward-facing red arrow 69'
CF9Guillermo Francodownward-facing red arrow 73'
Substitutions:
MF18Andrés Guardadoupward-facing green arrow 55'
FW10Cuauhtémoc Blancoupward-facing green arrow 69'
FW14Javier Hernándezupward-facing green arrow 73'
Manager:
Javier Aguirre
South Africa vs Mexico

Man of the Match:
Siphiwe Tshabalala (South Africa)

Assistant referees:[6]
Rafael Ilyasov (Uzbekistan)
Bakhadyr Kochkarov (Kyrgyzstan)
Fourth official:
Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh (Malaysia)
Fifth official:
Mu Yuxin (China)

Uruguay vs France

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The Uruguayan and French teams warming up

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 2]
Attendance: 64,100
Uruguay[10]
France[10]
GK1Fernando Muslera
RB6Mauricio VictorinoYellow card 59'
CB2Diego Lugano (c)Yellow card 90+3'
CB3Diego Godín
LB11Álvaro Pereira
RM16Maxi Pereira
CM15Diego Pérezdownward-facing red arrow 87'
CM17Egidio Arévalo
LM18Ignacio Gonzálezdownward-facing red arrow 63'
CF10Diego Forlán
CF9Luis Suárezdownward-facing red arrow 74'
Substitutions:
MF14Nicolás LodeiroYellow card 65' Yellow-red card 81'upward-facing green arrow 63'
FW13Sebastián Abreuupward-facing green arrow 74'
MF8Sebastián Egurenupward-facing green arrow 87'
Manager:
Óscar Tabárez
GK1Hugo Lloris
RB2Bacary Sagna
CB5William Gallas
CB3Eric Abidal
LB13Patrice Evra (c)Yellow card 12'
DM14Jérémy ToulalanYellow card 68'
CM8Yoann Gourcuffdownward-facing red arrow 75'
CM19Abou Diaby
RW10Sidney Govoudownward-facing red arrow 85'
LW7Franck RibéryYellow card 19'
CF21Nicolas Anelkadownward-facing red arrow 72'
Substitutions:
FW12Thierry Henryupward-facing green arrow 72'
MF15Florent Maloudaupward-facing green arrow 75'
FW11André-Pierre Gignacupward-facing green arrow 85'
Manager:
Raymond Domenech

Man of the Match:
Diego Forlán (Uruguay)

Assistant referees:[6]
Toru Sagara (Japan)
Jeong Hae-sang (South Korea)
Fourth official:
Joel Aguilar (El Salvador)
Fifth official:
William Torres (El Salvador)

South Africa vs Uruguay

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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] This was Uruguay's first World Cup win since 1990.

South Africa 0–3 Uruguay
[Report 3]
Attendance: 42,658
South Africa[12]
Uruguay[12]
GK16Itumeleng KhuneRed card 76'
RB2Siboniso Gaxa
CB4Aaron Mokoena (c)
CB20Bongani Khumalo
LB3Tsepo Masilela
RM8Siphiwe Tshabalala
CM13Kagisho DikgacoiYellow card 42'
CM12Reneilwe Letsholonyanedownward-facing red arrow 57'
LM11Teko Modise
SS10Steven PienaarYellow card 6'downward-facing red arrow 79'
CF9Katlego Mphela
Substitutions:
MF19Surprise Moririupward-facing green arrow 57'
GK1Moeneeb Josephsupward-facing green arrow 79'
Manager:
Brazil Carlos Alberto Parreira
GK1Fernando Muslera
RB16Maxi Pereira
CB2Diego Lugano (c)
CB3Diego Godín
LB4Jorge Fuciledownward-facing red arrow 71'
DM15Diego Pérezdownward-facing red arrow 90'
RM17Egidio Arévalo
LM11Álvaro Pereira
AM10Diego Forlán
CF9Luis Suárez
CF7Edinson Cavanidownward-facing red arrow 89'
Substitutions:
MF20Álvaro Fernándezupward-facing green arrow 71'
FW21Sebastián Fernándezupward-facing green arrow 89'
MF5Walter Garganoupward-facing green arrow 90'
Manager:
Óscar Tabárez

Man of the Match:
Diego Forlán (Uruguay)

Assistant referees:[6]
Matthias Arnet (Switzerland)
Francesco Buragina (Switzerland)
Fourth official:
Wolfgang Stark (Germany)
Fifth official:
Jan-Hendrik Salver (Germany)

France vs Mexico

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Mexico's 2–0 victory over France in Polokwane was the nation's first win against a World Cup-winning team. It 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 4]
Attendance: 35,370
France[15]
Mexico[15]
GK1Hugo Lloris
RB2Bacary Sagna
CB5William Gallas
CB3Eric AbidalYellow card 78'
LB13Patrice Evra (c)
CM14Jérémy ToulalanYellow card 45+1'
CM19Abou Diaby
RW10Sidney Govoudownward-facing red arrow 69'
AM7Franck Ribéry
LW15Florent Malouda
CF21Nicolas Anelkadownward-facing red arrow 46'
Substitutions:
FW11André-Pierre Gignacupward-facing green arrow 46'
MF20Mathieu Valbuenaupward-facing green arrow 69'
Manager:
Raymond Domenech
GK1Óscar Pérez
RB5Ricardo Osorio
CB15Héctor MorenoYellow card 49'
CB2Francisco Javier RodríguezYellow card 82'
LB3Carlos Salcido
DM4Rafael Márquez (c)
CM16Efraín JuárezYellow card 48'downward-facing red arrow 55'
CM6Gerardo Torrado
RW17Giovani dos Santos
LW11Carlos Veladownward-facing red arrow 31'
CF9Guillermo FrancoYellow card 4'downward-facing red arrow 62'
Substitutions:
MF7Pablo Barreraupward-facing green arrow 31'
FW14Javier Hernándezupward-facing green arrow 55'
FW10Cuauhtémoc Blancoupward-facing green arrow 62'
Manager:
Javier Aguirre

Man of the Match:
Javier Hernández (Mexico)

Assistant referees:[6]
Hassan Kamranifar (Iran)
Saleh Al Marzouqi (United Arab Emirates)
Fourth official:
Peter O'Leary (New Zealand)
Fifth official:
Matthew Taro (Solomon Islands)

Mexico vs Uruguay

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Mexico 0–1 Uruguay
[Report 5]
Attendance: 33,425
Mexico[16]
Uruguay[16]
GK1Óscar Pérez
RB5Ricardo Osorio
CB2Francisco Javier Rodríguez
CB15Héctor Morenodownward-facing red arrow 57'
LB3Carlos Salcido
RM6Gerardo Torrado
CM4Rafael Márquez
LM18Andrés Guardadodownward-facing red arrow 46'
AM17Giovani dos Santos
AM10Cuauhtémoc Blanco (c)downward-facing red arrow 63'
CF9Guillermo Franco
Substitutions:
MF7Pablo Barreraupward-facing green arrow 46'
MF8Israel CastroYellow card 86'upward-facing green arrow 57'
FW14Javier HernándezYellow card 77'upward-facing green arrow 63'
Manager:
Javier Aguirre
GK1Fernando Muslera
RB16Maxi Pereira
CB2Diego Lugano (c)
CB6Mauricio Victorino
LB4Jorge FucileYellow card 68'
DM15Diego Pérez
RM17Egidio Arévalo
LM11Álvaro Pereiradownward-facing red arrow 77'
AM10Diego Forlán
CF9Luis Suárezdownward-facing red arrow 85'
CF7Edinson Cavani
Substitutions:
DF19Andrés Scottiupward-facing green arrow 77'
MF20Álvaro Fernándezupward-facing green arrow 85'
Manager:
Óscar Tabárez

Man of the Match:
Luis Suárez (Uruguay)

Assistant referees:[6]
Gábor Erős (Hungary)
Tibor Vámos (Hungary)
Fourth official:
Martin Hansson (Sweden)
Fifth official:
Stefan Wittberg (Sweden)

France vs South Africa

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France 1–2 South Africa
 [Report 6]
Attendance: 39,415
France[17]
South Africa[17]
GK1Hugo Lloris
RB2Bacary Sagna
CB5William Gallas
CB17Sébastien Squillaci
LB22Gaël Clichy
CM18Alou Diarra (c)downward-facing red arrow 82'
CM19Abou DiabyYellow card 71'
RW11André-Pierre Gignacdownward-facing red arrow 46'
AM8Yoann GourcuffRed card 25'
LW7Franck Ribéry
CF9Djibril Cissédownward-facing red arrow 55'
Substitutions:
MF15Florent Maloudaupward-facing green arrow 46'
FW12Thierry Henryupward-facing green arrow 55'
FW10Sidney Govouupward-facing green arrow 82'
Manager:
Raymond Domenech
GK1Moeneeb Josephs
RB5Anele Ngcongca†downward-facing red arrow 55'
CB4Aaron Mokoena (c)
CB20Bongani Khumalo
LB3Tsepo Masilela
CM6MacBeth Sibaya
CM23Thanduyise Khubonidownward-facing red arrow 78'
RW10Steven Pienaar
LW8Siphiwe Tshabalala
CF9Katlego Mphela
CF17Bernard Parkerdownward-facing red arrow 68'
Substitutions:
DF2Siboniso Gaxaupward-facing green arrow 55'
FW18Siyabonga Nomvetheupward-facing green arrow 68'
MF11Teko Modiseupward-facing green arrow 78'
Manager:
Brazil Carlos Alberto Parreira

Man of the Match:
Katlego Mphela (South Africa)

Assistant referees:[6]
Abraham González (Colombia)
Humberto Clavijo (Colombia)
Fourth official:
Héctor Baldassi (Argentina)
Fifth official:
Ricardo Casas (Argentina)

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "Match Schedule 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa" (PDF). FIFA.com (Press release). Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 December 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  2. 1 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. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  5. 1 2 "Tactical Line-up – Group A – South Africa v Mexico" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 11 June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 May 2026. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Match Appointments" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 24 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 25 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. Archived from the original on 18 June 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  9. ↑ "France frustrated by stalemate". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 June 2010. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  10. 1 2 "Tactical Line-up – Group A – Uruguay v France" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 11 June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 May 2026. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
  11. 1 2 3 "Forlan silences South Africa". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 7 April 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  12. 1 2 "Tactical Line-up – Group A – South Africa v Uruguay" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 16 June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 May 2026. 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. 20 June 2010. Archived from the original on 25 June 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2010.
  15. 1 2 "Tactical Line-up – Group A – France v Mexico" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 May 2026. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  16. 1 2 "Tactical Line-up – Group A – Mexico v Uruguay" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 22 June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 May 2026. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
  17. 1 2 "Tactical Line-up – Group A – France v South Africa" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 22 June 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 May 2026. Retrieved 22 June 2010.

Match reports

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  1. ↑
  2. ↑
  3. ↑
  4. ↑
  5. ↑
  6. ↑
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