Mexico and South Africa open 2010 World Cup all even

The anticipation had been building for months and months.  The first World Cup on the African continent was upon us and the South African squad clearly felt the weight of the continent on their shoulders.  They opened with stars in their eyes and a clear case of stage fright as Mexico set about taking the game at them.  South Africa was lucky to not be behind right off the bat as they watched the fluid Mexico passing carve them up.

The young Giovani Dos Santos almost put Mexico ahead in the 17th minute when he whistled a shot wide off a counter attack from a South Africa freekick.  Only minutes later, Carlos Vela picked out Guillermo Franco in the box, but Khune raced out to deny the flick.  The Mexico attacks kept coming with a Dos Santos shot deflecting for a corner in the 37th minute.  On the resulting set piece Mexico looked to have scored, but the offside flag was up.  There was a South African defender on the line who looked to keep the play onside, but the linesman had it right as the Khune had raced out of goal leaving only the single player between the attacker and the goal. 

The half closed scoreless as Franco headed a close range ball over the top.  A scoreless opening half in which Mexico should have been in the lead.  South Africa opened the 2nd half on better footing and the game was end to end at that point.  South Africa grabbed the lead in the 55th on a quick counter as Siphiwe Tshabalala broke down the lft side and rifled a wonderful shot high into the top far corner of the net.  A shot of a lifetime for sure.

Mexico were stunned, but set about seeking the tying goal.  Khune denied Giovani Dos Santos on a shot heading for the top corner with a spectacular leaping save and possibly it looked to be South Africa's day.  In the 79th Mexico ruined the party.  A short corner led to the goal as South Africa switched off on their marking.  Three Mexico players drifted to the back post with only Makoena left to deal with them.  Rafa Marquez brought down the cross and easily finished to even the match.

The home side almost stole it at the end as a longball from Khune sprung Mphela behind the Mexico defense.  His dribbler of a shot deflected off the post and out leaving the game all square.  Both sides will take positives from the game and both will have everything to play for over their last two group games.  France takes on Uruguay later today in the other Group A match.