Mexico deprived hosts South Africa of a dream start to the first World Cup on African soil, equalizing late in a thrilling 1-1 draw at Soccer City to frustrate tens of thousands of vuvuzela trumpet-blowing fans.
Siphiwe Tshabalala’s glorious 55th-minute shot sent most of the 84,000 crowd into ecstasy at the stadium near Soweto township, a center of the anti-apartheid struggle.
But Mexico, who dominated the first half but faded in the second, struck back late through Rafael Marquez after 79 minutes when Bafana Bafana’s offside trap went disastrously wrong.
South Africa, basking in a wave of national euphoria in the buildup to the month-long tournament, hit the post in a golden opportunity to win the match just before the whistle.
The credible performance—from a team even many South Africans had written off until a sudden boost in form in recent months—eased sadness at Nelson Mandela’s absence from the opening party.
His great-granddaughter Zenani died in a car crash on the way home from a pre-World Cup concert, forcing the beloved 91-year-old father of post-apartheid South Africa to cancel his attendance and go into mourning.
Zenani, 13, was one of the nine great-grandchildren of Mandela, whose charisma and prestige is credited with helping South Africa win the World Cup bid in 2004.
South Africa Settles for tie...
Siphiwe Tshabala gave host South Africa the perfect start with the first goal of the World Cup, but Mexico rallied for a 1-1 tie.Mexico battles back for tie...
Rafael Marquez's goal in the 79th minute helped Mexico rally for a 1-1 tie with South Africa in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup.
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