JOHANNESBURG — It was a joyous day for South Africa, but not quite a perfect result.
South Africa gave up the lead on a goal by Mexico’s Rafael Marquez in the 79th minute and settled for a 1-1 draw Friday before 84,000 vuvuzela-blaring fans whose euphoria over the start of the first World Cup on the continent was only slightly dimmed by the tie.
Siphiwe Tshabalala had given the host nation a dream start, finishing off an excellent move in the 55th minute to set off wild celebrations at Soccer City. But the South Africans left Mexico defender Marquez open, and he collected a cross to score the tying goal.
“We could easily have won the game,” South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said. “All in all at the end a draw is a fair result.”
As pledged by coach Javier Aguirre, the Mexicans attacked in force from the kickoff and the hosts should have been a goal down within the first two minutes when goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune fumbled a low cross. Giovani dos Santos had a chance for an easy shot, but South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena blocked it.
The aggressive Mexicans continued to create chances but lacked accuracy and, when Carlos Vela scored from a flicked-on corner just before halftime, it was called offsides.
The South Africans went ahead with a superb series of passes and an accurate finishing shot. Teko Modise found Tshabalala clear of the Mexican defense, and the winger let fly with a powerful left-footed shot that flew past keeper Oscar Perez into the top far corner.
France 0, Uruguay 0
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — The game between former champions produced a dud, yet there was much satisfaction expressed by each team for gaining a point.
“It is almost a beautiful 0-0,” France coach Raymond Domenech said. “But the result is what it is.”
The low point came when Uruguay’s Nicolas Lodeiro was ejected after a challenge on Bacary Sagna in the 81st minute for his second yellow card. In the end, the result left Group A where it started — even.
