South Africa leads 10-man France 1-0 after 30 minutes; Gourcuff sent off after Khumalo scores

South Africa leads France 1-0 after 30 minutes

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa — Bongani Khumalo scored with a header off a corner kick to give South Africa a 1-0 lead against France after 30 minutes of the teams’ must-win match at the World Cup.

South Africa midfielder Steven Pienaar forced a corner in the 20th minute and Siphiwe Tshabalala lofted the ball over goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Khumalo rose brilliantly to nod the ball past Lloris.

Moments later Katlego Mphela sprinted through on goal and shot just wide.

France was reduced to 10 men when Yoann Gourcuff was shown a red card in the 25th for elbowing Macbeth Sibaya.

Both teams took only one point from their first two matches in the group.

A draw between Mexico and Uruguay in the other Group A game would knock both teams out whatever the result.