Group A showdown - The lowdown

22 June 2010 09:00
The third and final round of group matches gets underway this afternoon, as Group A reaches a climax with Mexico taking on Uruguay and France up against hosts South Africa.

Both matches kick off at 3pm.

As they stand (pts, goal difference):

Uruguay - 4pts, +3

Mexico - 4pts, +2

France - 1pt, -2

South Africa - 1pt. -3

What they need:

Uruguay

A win or draw will confirm the South Americans as group winners, and set up a last 16 meeting against Group B runners-up. Defeat should still see them through as runners-up, unless France or South Africa can overturn their goal difference disadvantage with a huge win. For eg, if France beat South Africa 4-0 and Uruguay lose 2-0. If two teams finish level on goal difference, the team who has scored the most goals goes through. Uruguay and Mexico have three, South Africa one and France are yet to score.

Mexico

Victory will see Mexico top the group, while a draw would confirm them as runners-up. As with Uruguay defeat might also be enough, unless France or South Africa romp home and turn around the goal difference deficit. Mexico are at +2, so a 3-0 win for France coupled with a 2-0 loss for the Mexicans would see the French squeeze through.

France

Raymond Domenech's men must beat South Africa to stand any hope of going through. If Mexico-Uruguay ends in a draw they're out, but if a winner emerges in that one the French are relying on a big shift in goal difference.

South Africa

The hosts need a convincing win against France and a result in the Mexico-Uruguay game. With a goal difference of -3 they'll have their work cut out, and it would be one of the great shocks if they make it through. But if they beat France 2-0 and Uruguay hammer Mexico 4-0 they'll be in the knock-out stages.


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Source: DSG