France winger Florent Malouda admits his side's 2-0 defeat to Mexico in Group A tonight was "shameful".

Second-half goals from new Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez and a penalty from Cuauhtemoc Blanco now leave the 1998 champions' chances of progressing to the knockout stages hanging by a thread.

If Mexico and Uruguay draw next week, Raymond Domenech's squad will be out irrespective of their result against hosts South Africa.

"It's shameful to lose like that," said the Chelsea forward after Les Bleus, who now have just one point from two games, were out-played by Mexico.

"We can't leave a tournament without winning a match."

Domenech, whose demeanour throughout the game was of a man who knows he only has a few weeks left in the job, had little to say afterwards.

"I'm lost for words," he said. "It's a real disappointment for those who believed in us. We did try but there was always something that didn't work.

"There's one match left. We'll play for pride and hope for a miracle.

"We needed a draw to keep our fate in our hands and couldn't get it."

Domenech, who has come in for fierce criticism for his tactics and leaves his post after the tournament, when he will be replaced almost certainly by former Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc, added: "We feel a great disappointment and sadness.

"We struggled. At the moment I really don't have an explanation for it."

Hernandez followed in the footsteps of his grandfather Tomas Balcazar, who scored for Mexico against France in the 1954 World Cup.

"I remembered my grandfather in the locker-room," said the United new boy.

"I haven't spoken to my family yet, they're my main motivation."

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre added: "It was very important to beat France - they are after all the vice-world champions (referring to their runners-up finish in 2006).

"We turned in a very fine performance - but we are not yet mathematically through."