SOUTH AFRICA 1:1 MEXICO



It has arrived! The first ever World Cup to be staged in South Africa got underway with a tasty opener. The first goal arrived on 55 minutes at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg when Siphiwe Tshabalala unleashed an absolute peach for the hosts! However, Rafael Marquez spoiled the party with his close-range belter.

Firstly, in front of an expectant 84,000 crowd, Franco went close but South Africa 'keeper Khune got a strong hand to the ball to keep the scorline at a deadlock. Carlos Vela and his fellow Mexican team mates thought they had gone in front when Vela, an Arsenal striker of course, tapped in from close-range from a flick-on from a corner but the linesman ruled it out for offside.

Now, as for the second-half, the 2010 World Cup's first goal was scored, and it will take some beating in the remaining 62 games. Siphiwe Tshabalala let rip from around 12-yards and the Jabulani ball flew into Perez's top-corner - the pint-sized Mexican goalkeeper had a cats in hell's chance in stopping the scorcher. Mexican's Giovani went close to equalling Tshabalala's wonder strike but Khune pulled off a brilliant save with the ball destined for the near top-corner.

Marquez is congratulated after levelling

The atmosphere inside the stadium was severely dampened when Marquez snatched an equaliser from five yards after a defensive lapse. The South African's, though, almost pulled off a famous victory at the Soccer City Stadium when a long kick from goalkeeper Khune found Mphela but the striker agonisingly struck the base of the post with 90 minutes surpassing.

Overall, a point a piece is arguably a fair result, however, South Africa will be upset not to have claimed three points in their opening Group A game. The final score from the Soccer City Stadium, is, South Africa 1:1 Mexico.

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