Pretoria, South Africa (AHN) - 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa look like it will be eliminated at the first hurdle after a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Uruguay.

Going into the game with all four teams in Group A level on one point, the game was set-up so that the winner would be in a very strong position to qualify for the last-16, while the loser faced elimination.

With the trademark Vuvuzela's blaring out into the Pretoria night, Bafana Bafana emerged with real hope, hope that lasted 24 minutes.

Then Uruguayan star striker Diego Forlan picked up the ball 30 yards from goal.

Allowed to turn under no South African challenge, Forlan then lashed a fierce drive at goal, which looped up and off the back of Aaron Mokoena and past the stranded Khune.

The goal extinguished South African hopes, creating a shockwave which permeated the team and the nation, leaving the team devoid of confidence and ideas and the nation, and their Vuvuzela's silent.

In the end it became a matter of how many Uruguay would score, especially when Khune was sent-off for a despairing lunge on Suarez.

That gifted Forlan the chance to double his tally from the penalty spot.

It was a chance Forlan duly took, before teeing up Suarez to cross for Alvaro Pereira to bundle home the third in the 94th minute.