South Africa lead France 2-0 at half-time

Hosts South Africa led 10-man France 2-0 in Bloemfontein on Tuesday in their Group A clash as they scrambled to keep their World Cup hopes alive amid dramatic scenes in Bloemfontein.

South Africa are battling to avoid being the first host nation to crash out in the first round of a World Cup.

Roared on by a passionate crowd, South Africa took the lead on 20 minutes when Bongani Khumalo rose highest to head in a corner from the left swung in by Siphiwe Tshabalala, sparking scenes of joy among the yellow-clad fans.

The Bafana Bafana doubled their lead on 37 minutes when Katlego Mphela poked the ball past Hugo Lloris after France failed to clear.

The contest was given a dramatic twist midway through the first half when Yoann Gourcuff was sent off for using his elbow against MacBeth Sibaya with beleaguered French coach Raymond Domenech burying his face in his hands.

To squeeze into the last 16, 1998 World Cup winners France or South Africa must win by a wide margin on Tuesday and hope that the game between Uruguay and Mexico does not end in a stalemate. Uruguay were leading 1-0 at half-time.

As things stand South Africa are on four points with a goal difference of minus one and Mexico are on four points with a goal difference of plus one.

Both sides made sweeping changes to their starting line-ups as they went in search of the goals to keep them in the competition.

France left captain Patrice Evra out of their team following a bust-up over the expulsion of star striker Nicolas Anelka from the squad.