Bloemfontein - Bafana Bafana put up an amazing fight against France on Tuesday beating the 1998 World Champions 2-1, but that was not good enough to send the national team through to the next round of the FIFA World Cup.
Bernard Parker and Katlego Mphela led the Bafana attack as Parreira decided to change his formation and introduced two strikers instead of one.
South Africa's first goal came in the 19th minute when a Siphiwe Tshbalala corner found Bongani Khumalo in front of the French goal mouth and the defender made no mistake and scored through a header. Shortly after his goal, Mphela slammed in another - but it was ruled off-side by referee Oscar Ruiz.
Carlos Alberto Parreira's boys continued to dominate the attack and a cross from Tshabalala found Tsepo Masilela who was happy to pass it over to Katlego Mphela for a fiinish in the 37th minute.
At half time, things looked promising for Bafana but they still needed to score two more goals to realise their World Cup dream.
Substitute Florent Malouda netted France's only goal for the evening when he beat the entire Bafana defence to face Joseph.
France was reduced to 10 men when midfielder Yoann Gourcuff was sent out in the 25th for an elbow to Macbeth Sibaya's face. But that did not result in any advantage for South Africa.
A brilliant free kick from Franck Ribery in the 40th minute was followed by an equally stunning save from Moneeb Josephs to deny the French their opening goal. Parreira made three changes replacing Anele Ngcongca with Siboniso Gaxa and introducing Siyabonga Nomvethe in Bernard Parker's place. In his first touch, Nomvethe made a brilliant run beating three defenders but lost the ball just when he was about to finish.
Bafana look set to finding the net again when they were awarded a free-kick in the 32nd minute but Tshabalala sent his short narrowly over the bar.
The atmosphere at Mangaung Stadium was riveting with fans blowing on vuvuzelas to inspire their team on.
Meanwhile, at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium Uruguay beat Mexico 1-nil in the other Group A match, finishing top of the group and advancing to the second round.
Luis Suarez headed in a long right wing cross at the far post two minutes before halftime scoring the goal for Uruguay.
Uruguay finished with seven points from their three games in Group A and head the group.
Mexico and South Africa finished with four points in the group with France finishing last on one point.
Mexico advance to the next round due to a better goal difference to South Africa.
