South Africa World Cup hopes dashed by Diego Forlan brace
Striker Diego Forlan scored twice in a reality check for Bafana Bafana. South Africa’s World Cup bid now hangs by a thread.
Uruguay's Diego Forlan (r.) kicks past South Africa's Siboniso Gaxa and scores a brilliant strike during today's South Africa vs. Uruguay game.
Matt Dunham/AP
Maybe it was hosting the world that got South Africa so pumped up, so full of hope that it’s little team could do big things.
Perhaps it was the vuvuzelas.
Or was it Bafana Bafana's plucky come-from-behind tie against Mexico, which featured outstanding goalkeeping by Itumeleng Khune and one of the World Cup's best goals by Siphiwe Tshabalala?
That performance in the South Africa World Cup opener turned Bafana Bafana from a sentimental favorite into a team that maybe, just maybe, could advance beyond Group A and pull off an upset in the second round.
But the stars did not align. There was no joy in Mudville. The vuvuzelas lost their buzz.
A villain with flowing blond locks swooped in to dash the hopes of the Rainbow Nation.
Although South Africa is not mathematically eliminated, Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan's two goals in the South Africa vs. Uruguay game today have effectively ended their unlikely World Cup run.
Uruguay simply outclassed Bafana Bafana throughout the match and its stingy defense allowed few scoring opportunities.
South Africa's best chance came in the 66th minute, but Katlego "Killer" Mphela steered a header just wide of the target. Reality finally set in during the 75th minute when Khune, the goalkeeper and key to their chances to win, was given a red card in the penalty area.
Forlan easily netted the penalty shot.
The star striker wasn't done, though.
Deep into injury time, he lofted a lovely assist to fellow striker Suarez who slotted the ball home.
Three-nil, Uruguay.
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