Attendance: 84,000
The World Cup has begun and if I am honest I wasn't expecting much as most opening matches lack any excitement as neither team wanted to make a mistake but this was very attacking. In fact before the second minute Giovanni Dos Santos had a chance to score the opening goal but his shot was saved well by the South African goalkeeper. For the first 15 minutes South Africa couldnt settle but they soon started to string some passes together but there was little result as Mexico soon had the ball back and possession wise it was all Mexico.
In the 32nd minute ex West Ham striker recieved a chip pass from Vela but was unable to capitalise. 5 minutes later though the goal was in the net. Carlos Vela the man with the goal only for the linesman to correctly flag the striker offside. After this though it was all South Africa putting pressure on the 5ft 8in Mexican goalkeeper.
Half time it was 0-0 but a very entertaining half.
The second half started very evenly but in the 54th minute a long raking path from South Africa found Tshabalala, his first touch set him up and he smashed his shot into the goalkeepers top left hand corner and the crowd went crazy. The settled South Africa and they felt they deserved a penalty in the 68th minute when Modise was brough down in the area but replays show there was no contact.
Mexico pressurised the African defense so it was no suprise in the 78th when Mexico equalised. Carlos Albert Parrera, the South African coach would not be happy as Marquez was given the freedom of the area to tap in close range.
The game seemed to be ending in a draw but in injury time Mpala run towards goal but made poor contact and his shot hit the post.
The game finished 1-1 and it was a very entertaining match.
South Africa: 16. Khune 2. Gaxa 4. Mokoena 8. Tshabalala 9. Mphela 10. Pienaar 11. Modise 12. Letsholonyane 13. Dikgacoi 15. Thwala 20. Khumalo
Subs Used: 3. Masilela 17. Parker
Mexico: 1. Perez, 2. Rodriguez, 3. Salcido, 4. Marquez, 5. Osorio, 6. Torrado, 9. Franco, 11. Vela, 12. Aguilar, 16. Juarez, 17. Dos Santos
Subs Used: 10. Blanco, 14. Hernandez, 18. Guardado
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