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They finished the group phase with four points, five behind the Spanish and level with Paraguay, who beat Slovenia 3-1 in their final match, grabbing their crucial third six minutes from time to move above the South Africans on goals scored.

South Africa twice came from behind to equalise in an open, roller-coaster match against Spain, who had already secured their place in the last 16 where they will meet Ireland.

But they finally succumbed to a 56th minute winner from striker Raul, his second of the night.

It was a cruel blow for South Africa, who failed to win a match at their first appearance in the World Cup in France four years ago.

They got off to the worst possible start in Taejon when their goalkeeper Andre Arendse gifted Spain a goal in the fourth minute with a dreadful blunder.

Arendse, surprisingly recalled to the first team recently, came to the edge of his box to collect a harmless, over-hit through ball from Gaizka Mendieta but fumbled it badly.

Raul nipped in, stole the ball and walked it into the empty net.

The South Africans equalised in the 31st minute through former Spain-based forward Benni McCarthy.

Striker Siyabonga Nomvethe nodded down a looping cross from the right and McCarthy beat goalkeeper Iker Casillas from close range with an acrobatic volley.

But on the stroke of halftime, Mendieta restored Spain's advantage with a curling right foot free kick from 20 metres which left the badly-positioned Arendse glued to his line.

Eight minutes into the second half South Africa equalised for the second time.

Spanish defender Enrique Romero tried to clear a corner from the South African right but the ball skimmed off the top of his head and span to the back post, where South Africa's captain Lucas Radebe was on hand to head home.

Three minutes later, however, Spain were back in front when Raul ghosted around the back of Radabe to meet a Joaquin cross with a firm header for his second goal of the night.

South Africa, perhaps conscious of Paraguay's second half comeback, tried to haul themselves back into the match for the third time, but Nelson Cuevas's goal six minutes from time ended their dreams of a place in the last 16.

South Africa coach Jomo Sono rued three "silly goals" for costing his team.

He said: "We did well, we showed guts. We gave away three silly goals but we can't blame anybody."

When asked about his own future, he replied: "I'll decide when I get home.

"I'd like to say, though, that we gave it our best shot, we played some good football but this sort of thing happens."

Trott Moloto, assistant coach, added: "We did everything that was expected of us. We lost against the best team in the tournament (Spain). We are quite satisfied about what our boys did.

"We had some moments, creating some good chances, and we should have buried them away. I think we did very well but unfortunately we could not get even a draw."

Midfielder Quinton Fortune said he was unaware of what was happening in the Paraguay v Slovenia game which eventually settled South Africa's fate and did not know the result until he reached the dressing room at the end of the match.