Captain Patrice Evra admits it feels like France are a "small football nation - and it hurts" after they lurched towards the verge of early World Cup elimination with a 2-0 defeat to Mexico at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

Second-half goals from Evra's soon-to-be Manchester United team-mate Javier Hernandez and Cuauhtemoc Blanco, from the penalty spot, put their side level on four points with Uruguay at the top of Group A. A draw between Mexico and Uruguay in their final match would put the 1998 champions and 2006 runners-up out.

"It's a catastrophe, that's all we can say. We are not a great team," said Evra, who was part of the side which suffered an early exit at Euro 2008.