There's the final whistle. Mphela's ball off the post ensures a 1-1 draw between South Africa and Mexico, and it's likely a fair result. Mexico squandered many chances in the first half, but South African improved to take the lead in the second. Poor defending gave Mexico their long-deserved goal.
90' +2
South Africa still with energy on the break, and they are in the attacking third with a minute left to play.
90' +1
Three minutes have been added on.
90'
Mphela hits the post! A long ball forward is chased down by the striker and his left-footed boot smashes against the goal frame on the near side. Ever so close for South Africa.
88'
Cross in from the left by Blanco finds Javier Hernández in the center, but the leaping header misses the target by a good margin.
Header on goal goes wide by Mexico
87'
Three minutes and stoppage to go as both teams will be eager to snatch three points. As it stands, it would be a point for both sides from the opening match of the 2010 World Cup.
86'
Blanco stands over the ball and crosses the back post, but the ball is cleared.
85'
Free kick her for Mexico as Letsholonyane hauls down Blanco about 27 yards out.
Foul by South Africa
83'
B. Parker enters the game and replaces S. Pienaar.
It looked to be a dangerous counter for South Africa, but Modise drifts into an offside position. Meanwhile, Pienaar is replaced by Bernard Parker.
82'
Guardado tries to play Blanco in toward the corner, but the ball races out of play.
Minute
Description
80'
Ten minutes to go and the game is still up for grabs. Poor defending by South Africa on the goal as Márquez came in completely unnoticed at the back post.
Shot on goal by South Africa
79'
R. Márquez has scored a goal for Mexico! Assist by A. Guardado.
Goal for Mexico!! The corner is taken short and Guardado's cross from the left finds Márquez at the back post for a cool right-footed finish past a helpless Khune.
78'
Cross to center by Guardado is cleared behind by South African skipper Mokoena.
Corner kick for Mexico
77'
South Africa still with two subs in their pocket as they can bring on fresh legs, if they wish, to help preserve the lead.
76'
Tshabalala plays in a nice low pass seeking Mphela in the middle, but Pérez comes out to cover it up.
75'
Hopeful cross from the left by Salcido is well out of reach for everyone in black. Goal kick for Khune.
73'
J. Hernández enters the game and replaces G. Franco.
Javier Hernández, one of the newest signings by Manchester United, is the final sub for Mexico. The third-generation Mexican striker replaces Franco up front.
72'
Mexico still struggling as they go in search of the goal to make it 1-1. Solid defending by South Africa.
70'
T. Masilela gets yellow.
Modise got through in the middle after a fine ball by Gaxa, but he can't put a lot on the shot as Pérez saves.
Shot on goal by South Africa
69'
C. Blanco enters the game and replaces C. Vela.
Perhaps a veteran presence is what Mexico need as the youngster Vela is replaced by 37-year-old Cuauhtémoc Blanco.
Offside for Mexico
68'
Mexico still look a bit unsure how to attack the South African defense. They are stringing together plenty of passes in midfield but don't seem to be making any progress.
67'
Foul by South Africa
66'
So nearly 2-0 for South Africa, and it's a wasted chance by Modise. A deflected shot falls to Modise at the far post, but he shoots wide.
Shot wide of goal by South Africa
64'
Mexico starting to get back into a rhythm now as they go in search of the equalizer. They will have to be careful, however, not to concede anything on the break.
63'
Shot on goal by South Africa
Shot on goal by South Africa
62'
The vuvuzelas seem to be playing only louder as this game progresses with South Africa in the lead.
60'
Great save by Khune to preserve the lead. Dos Santos rifled in a shot from the edge of the area toward the near post, but Khune sprawled to knock it behind for a corner.
Shot on goal by Mexico
Corner kick for Mexico
59'
Free kick for dos Santos on the right sails right into the arms of Khune.
Foul by South Africa
58'
Confidence for South Africa? It certainly looks that way as they continue to press forward after that stunning opener.
57'
G. Torrado gets yellow.
Second booking of the day for Mexico goes to the skipper Torrado for a late challenge on Dikgacoi.
55'
S. Tshabalala has scored a goal for South Africa! Assist by K. Dikgacoi.
A. Guardado enters the game and replaces P. Aguilar.
Goal for South Africa!! It's a brilliant strike with the left boot by Siphiwe Tshabalala. Modise feeds the winger through on the left side of the area, and it's an expert finish into the top far corner that left Pérez with absolutely no chance.
54'
It's a better start from South Africa when they move forward, but Mexico are still controlling most of the ball in midfield.
52'
Andrés Guardado is warming up for Mexico and looks set to come on in a bit.
51'
Pienaar passes to the center looking for Mphela, but it's just slightly mis-timed as Osorio cuts it out.
50'
A nervy start to the second half as Mexico are passing without much ambition at the moment.
48'
Cross from the left by Tshabalala looking for Modise on the right, but Salcido turns it away.
47'
Foul by South Africa
46'
T. Masilela enters the game and replaces L. Thwala.
There will be a sub to start the second half as Tsepo Masilela will replace Thwala in a like-for-like swap. The second half is now under way.
Foul by Mexico
45' +2
There's the whistle from Irmatov, and the first half is in the books. Mexico, on the whole, will be happier. Though they will feel unlucky not to be in front. A few good efforts from South Africa late on that will give them promise in the second half.
45' +1
Dos Santos puts in a low ball for Franco on the left, but the ex-West Ham man is offside.
45'
Rising header at the back post by Dikgacoi sails just wide of the far post as one minute is added on.
Header on goal goes wide by South Africa
44'
What a great chance for South Africa. Tshabalala sends in a great cross from the left, but it's just out of reach for a wide open Mphela in front. Does lead to a South African corner kick. On the corner, Pérez cannot catch it, and the ball is behind for another corner.
43'
The effort swings into the six-yard box, and it is flicked behind by Pérez. On the next corner, Osorio easily clears.
Corner kick for South Africa
42'
Corner kick to South Africa - their first.
41'
Good free kick sent into the area, but a shot goes high.
Header over the goal by Mexico
40'
Mexico a bit unlucky not to be at least a goal up, and Aguirre is still displeased with the call in the area on Franco's goal.
Foul by South Africa
38'
Torrado's effort from the far side swings in and comes to Franco, who scores. But the flag is up for offside. Was a close decision, but it appears the keeper being forward is what initiated the offside call.
37'
Finally Mphela makes a break for it, but he was a bit too eager. Offside by a few yards. On the other end it was chaos for the South African defense as Vela and dos Santos threatened, but it goes out for a corner.
Shot wide of goal by Mexico
Corner kick for Mexico
35'
It has been a quiet outing thus far for South Africa's lone striker, Mphela. He has been incredibly impressive in the buildup to this tournament with seven goals in 2010. But he has not really been the recipient of any great service thus far.
34'
Ball flies free to Vela off a South African turnover, but the young Arsenal man's cross (or shot?) flashes wide of the far post.
32'
Great move by Mexico, and a great save by Khune. Vela loops in a nice ball to the center of the area for Franco, but the 'keeper makes himself big and gets a hand to the goalbound shot.
Shot on goal by Mexico
30'
The first half hour of the World Cup is in the books and the best of the possession and chances have gone to Mexico. South Africa, though, have seen small - yet steady - improvements over the last 20 minutes.
29'
South Africa looking a bit more dangerous on the right as Pienaar crosses into traffic, but Pérez confidently takes it.
28'
The free kick is being lined up by Márquez about 25 yards out, but he can't control the height as it sails over the top.
Shot over the goal by Mexico
27'
K. Dikgacoi gets yellow.
Pienaar and Ricardo Osorio chase down a loose ball in the Mexican area, but the free kick goes to El Tri as Osorio is fouled. And on the other end it's a booking for South African as Fulham's Kagisho Dikgacoi takes down dos Santos from behind.
26'
It is important to note that no World Cup host has ever failed to progress from the group stages of the tournament. But a loss in the opening game would be a devastating blow to either side.
25'
It was a speculative drive at best by Modise from 40 yards out, and it skips about that far wide of the goal.
Shot wide of goal by South Africa
23'
Dangerous-looking move for South Africa, but it ends innocuously as Siboniso Gaxa's cross is gathered by Pérez.
21'
It comes back out to Aguilar who crosses to the back post, but Khune again reaches up to grab it.
20'
Now a free kick in a good spot for Mexico as Modise slices down Carlos Vela. Ball is placed on the left about 35 yards from goal. Torrado's ball is headed down in the area.
19'
It was a handball against Juárez to win a free kick in the left channel 35 yards out for South Africa, but Teko Modise's ball is cleared. It springs a counter for dos Santos, and the striker's left-footed effort swerves wide of the post.
Shot wide of goal by Mexico
18'
E. Juárez gets yellow.
Another flick toward goal from the right by Aguilar, but Khune snatches the danger. And on the other end we have our first booking as Juárez is cautioned for delay of game.
17'
Pienaar is given the duty of taking the free kick, but it cruises over the top with no downward movement.
Shot over the goal by South Africa
16'
Free kick to South Africa and it's in a dangerous area, center of the pitch about 25 yards from goal. Carlos Salcido brings down Siphiwe Tshabalala.
15'
On dos Santos' inswinging corner, Guillermo Franco races in for a free header. But the veteran striker, unmarked, heads well over the bar.
Header on goal goes wide by Mexico
14'
Corner to Mexico as Lucas Thwala does well to get the ball off of a dangerous Aguilar.
13'
South Africa are packing in the numbers to try to deny passing lanes for Mexico. So far it is working well, though Pienaar is whistled for a foul against Rafael Márquez.
11'
Efrain Juárez crosses over the top for a darting Aguilar, but the flag is up on the near side. Offside against the Mexican winger.
10'
Mexico's 37-year-old goalkeeper Óscar Pérez races out of his area to clear a ball that could have been dangerous for Katlego Mphela.
8'
Pienaar goes down in his defensive half under Gerardo Torrado, and it's a free kick for South Africa to clear their lines.
7'
Right on cue, Bongani Khumalo crosses from the right trying to find Steven Pienaar. But the ball is poor and goes out for a throw on the near side.
6'
All the play has been in the South African half thus far, and the fans will want to see their side press forward a bit more.
5'
Cross in from the right by dos Santos is grasped by Khune. Much better from the Bafana Bafana 'keeper on that one.
4'
The two sides have met three times previously, and all three times were in the United States. In a 1993 Los Angeles friendly, Mexico triumphed 4-0. Seven years later in Dallas, Mexico came out a 4-2 winner. South Africa stunned Mexico 2-1 in Los Angeles in 2005 during an opening-round game in the Gold Cup.
3'
Really a great chance for Mexico to get on the board early, and dos Santos will want to have done better with that one.
2'
Early free kick to Mexico just over the center line as it is a very timid start to the game. But just as quickly an early chance for Mexico. A right-wing cross by Paul Aguilar is fumbled by goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune. Giovani dos Santos can't direct it on target, and it's a corner.
Shot wide of goal by Mexico
1'
At long last, the 2010 World Cup is under way in Johannesburg! The match referee is Uzbekistan's Ravshan Irmatov, and he is assisted by countryman Rafael Ilyasov and Kyrgyzstan's Bahadyr Kochkarov.
From all corners of the globe, footballing nations have gathered in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup - the international festival of football. Today, the latest edition of the greatest sporting spectacle on Earth begins as host nation South Africa open Group A play against Mexico. The South African team has been much criticized in recent years for a perceived lack of quality, but Bafana Bafana have improved in the build up to their home tournament. Mexico, meanwhile, are appearing in their fifth straight finals since being banned in 1990. It should be a thrilling encounter to begin the tournament, and we will take you through all the action.
There is great news in both camps as South Africa manager Carlos Alberto Parreira and Mexico manager Javier Aguirre have completely fit squads.
There is a packed house at Soccer City at Johannesburg, and the vuvuzelas are in tow.
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