BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (Reuters) – A big win against a scandal-hit France side on Tuesday might not be enough for South Africa to meet a nation’s wild expectations but is the only way they might avoid making unwanted history.

Victory with plenty of goals could save South Africa from becoming the first World Cup hosts not to reach the second round, providing Mexico and Uruguay do not settle for a draw that would put both of them through to the knockout stage.

KNYSNA, South Africa (Reuters) – Once hailed as France’s equivalent of Brazil great Ronaldo, Nicolas Anelka largely wasted his unique talent because of his hot temper and will now be remembered as one of the World Cup’s famous misfits.

Anelka, who added his name to the list of players sent home from the biggest stage of all, featuring Diego Maradona and Roy Keane, had come to South Africa to play his first World Cup, at 31.

KNYSNA, South Africa, June 19 (Reuters) – Once hailed as
France’s equivalent of Brazil great Ronaldo, Nicolas Anelka
largely wasted his unique talent because of his hot temper and
will now be remembered as one of the World Cup’s famous misfits.

Anelka, who added his name to the list of players sent home
from the biggest stage of all, featuring Diego Maradona and Roy
Keane ID:nLDE65I0HB, had come to South Africa to play his
first World Cup, at 31.

KNYSNA, South Africa (Reuters) – Striker Nicolas Anelka was kicked out of France’s World Cup squad on Saturday for insulting coach Raymond Domenech and refusing to apologise, the French Football Federation (FFF) said.

Anelka insulted Domenech in a crude manner at halftime of a 2-0 defeat by Mexico on Thursday in Polokwane.

KNYSNA, South Africa (Reuters) – Once famous for individual brilliance and midfield wizardry, France are in the process of establishing themselves as world champions at the fine art of internal squabbling.

The ghosts of Euro 2008, where a rotten atmosphere marred a campaign that ended after the group stage, have come back to haunt the former world champions on the pitches of South Africa, with another early exit now looming large.

KNYSNA, South Africa (Reuters) – France’s failure to behave as a team and a lack of understanding between the players on the pitch explain why they are faring so poorly at this World Cup, midfielder Jeremy Toulalan said on Friday.

The only player to face the media a day after a shock 2-0 defeat by Mexico, Toulalan admitted the former world champions, now risking an early exit, had a collective problem.

KNYSNA, South Africa (Reuters) – France have become a small footballing nation, captain Patrice Evra honestly summed up after a 2-0 defeat by Mexico left the 1998 champions in great danger of leaving the World Cup after the group stage.

France, who looked lost in Polokwane on Thursday, have one Group A match left, against South Africa on Tuesday in Bloemfontein, but could be sent packing even if they win it.

POLOKWANE, South Africa (Reuters) – Those who suggested France should not be at the World Cup in the first place might allow themselves a smug smile that they will probably not stay very long.

An uninspired display in a 0-0 draw with Uruguay last week and a truly awful one in a surprise 2-0 defeat by Mexico on Thursday left the 2006 runners-up threatened by another early exit following their Euro 2008 flop.

POLOKWANE (Reuters) – France were threatened by an embarrassing early World Cup exit after a surprise 2-0 defeat to Mexico in their second Group A game on Thursday.

Substitute forward Javier Hernandez beat an offside trap, raced into the box unchallenged and twisted his way past France keeper Hugo Lloris to put Mexico ahead on 64 minutes.

POLOKWANE, South Africa (Reuters) – After ruining South Africa’s opening party plans, Mexico take on an unsteady France side on Thursday eager to highlight their growing reputation as World Cup gatecrashers.

France’s household names hold no fears for a side who upset champions Italy 2-1 in a warm-up game before holding the hosts to a 1-1 draw in their first Group A match.