Uruguay, Mexico in last 16, SAfrica, France out

Uruguay and Mexico reached the World Cup last 16 on Tuesday while 1998 champions and 2006 runners-up France and hosts South Africa were eliminated as Group A concluded.

Uruguay finished top after defeating Mexico 1-0 in Rustenburg with Luis Suarez nodding in Edinson Cavani’s cross two minutes before the break, but Mexico took second spot.

In Bloemfontein, South Africa’s 2-1 win over France proved not enough for either side to advance.

Bongani Khumalo and Katlego Mphela netted first-half goals for the South Africans but could not prevent their homeland becoming the first World Cup host nation to crash out in the first round.

Florent Malouda scored France’s consolation goal.