France: Winner
South Africa: Runner Up
Uruguay
Mexico
South Africa's chances took a huge hit today by loosing to Uruguay 3-0. Uruguay is now out in front of the Group with 4 pts and +3 in the goal category. Mexico has a huge chance now to beat France and take control of the Group with Uruguay. Make no mistake. A very big game tomorrow between the two. A win by either would all but eliminate South Africa.
Why is that a big deal? Well... A host nation has never (I repeat, NEVER) been left behind in the Group Stage. A 0-0 draw tomorrow between Mexico and France is the best our hosts can hope for.
On top of the host nation making it out of the GS 100% of the time, it has actually won the thing 1/3 of the time.
Year:Host Nation:Finish
1930:Uruguay:Champions
1934:Italy:Champions
1938:France:Quarterfinals
1950:Brazil:Runners-up
1954:Switzerland:Quarterfinals
1958:Sweden:Runners-up
1962:Chile:Third place
1966:England:Champions
1970:Mexico:Quarterfinals
1974:West Germany:Champions
1978:Argentina:Champions
1982:Spain:Round 2
1986:Mexico:Quarterfinals
1990:Italy:Third place
1994:United States:Round 2
1998:France:Champions
2002:Korea Republic:Fourth place
2002:Japan:Round 2
2006:Germany:Third place
2010:South Africa:????
Even the unprecedented co-hosting of the WC resulted in both teams making it out of the GS. While South Africa's chance to make it still exists, they are now slim. They need that scoreless tie tomorrow and a huge win against France on June 22nd with a mess of goals.
Go Uruguay!!!
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