Final act for Les Miserables

FRANCE exited the World Cup at the first-round stage with barely a whimper after this humbling defeat by the host nation at the Free State Stadium.

Coach Raymond Domenech expressed his sadness as his tenure ended with his squabbling side making an early exit from the World Cup.

Goals from Bongani Khumalo and Katlego Mphela gave South Africa a 2-1 victory in this Group A game at the Free State Stadium, although they too are out of the tournament.

After stripping Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra of the captaincy – the result of the squad boycotting a training session – Domenech saw his side reduced to 10 men in the 26th minute when Yoann Gourcuff was sent off.

Although Florent Malouda stepped off the bench to pull a goal back in the second half, France are returning to Paris today.

Domenech, who embraced his players at the end, said: “The overriding emotion is one of sadness. We would have liked the dream to have continued.

“I shook hands with the players because we have been through some difficult times together. We need to be dignified in victory and defeat. Our goal showed we had taken a step forward.

“I have had a splendid adventure for the last six years, good times and bad times. It is impossible to summarise at the moment what has happened.

“I am not concerned about myself, only the French team and its future.”

France could have opened the scoring in the third minute when Gourcuff released Andre-Pierre Gignac but he only succeeded in drilling a shot at Moneeb Josephs.

France were rocked in the 20th minute when South Africa made the breakthrough. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris failed to cut out a corner from Siphiwe Tshabalala and Khumalo took advantage to score with a header at the back post.

It might have been worse for the former world champions five minutes later but Mphela dragged a shot wide.

France’s troubles increased in the 26th minute when they were reduced to 10 men with Gourcuff sent off by Colombian ref Oscar Ruiz for an aerial challenge on Macbeth Sibaya.

A disbelieving Domenech held his head in frustration.

South Africa were growing in confidence and Tshabalala whipped a free-kick over the bar in the 34th minute, before they extended their lead three minutes later.

Mphela clipped the ball home after being set up by Bernard Parker with France in disarray at the back.

Steven Pienaar then found the net for South Africa but his effort was disallowed and Mphela saw his shot turned around the post by Lloris.

Malouda was introduced at the start of the second half but France were soon pegged back. Parker sent his shot into the arms of Lloris and Mphela’s effort clipped the outside of the post.

France could not contain Mphela and Lloris did well to push away his powerful drive in the 58th minute.

However South Africa were caught napping in the 70th minute and failed to track Malouda, who pulled a goal back from a cross from Franck Ribery.

That was as good as it got for France, whose only point in the group came against Uruguay.

It was a bittersweet win for South Africa as they have become the first host nation to be eliminated at the first-round stage of the finals.

It is also the end of the road for Brazilian boss Carlos Alberto Parreira, as Bafana Bafana now appoint a South African coach. While Parreira was proud of the team, he was baffled at Domenech’s refusal to shake his hand.

Parreira said: “I was very polite at the end of the game but he claimed I had offended him. I cannot for the life of me understand why.

“One of his assistants said I had commented on Thierry Henry’s handball and that France should not be in the finals. But I do not recall making these remarks.”