Host nation holds Mexico scoreless in first half

South Africa 0 Mexico 0

A nervous South Africa were forced to defend for most of the first half of the opening World Cup match, going into the break against Mexico goalless at Soccer City.

And they were grateful for a lucky escape five minutes before half-time when keeper Itumeleng Khune flapped at a corner – but came so far that he played Carlos Vela offside as the Arsenal forward latched onto a flick-on and tapped in.

After an entertaining opening ceremony in Johannesburg, the home side failed to make the most of their advantage, much to the disappointment of the 85,000 crowd.

The visitors almost stunned their hosts inside the first 120 seconds, but were thwarted by a last-ditch block by Aaron Mokoena.

It came after Paul Aguilar’s cross from the right was not convincingly cleared by Khune and Giovani dos Santos’ shot was repelled by the South Africa captain with an empty net gaping.

The Mexican wave forward continued and Guillermo Franco headed narrowly over from a Dos Santos corner.

South Africa’s first real opportunity came after 17 minutes when Rafael Marquez brought down Siphiwe Tshabalala 25 yards out, but Steven Pienaar disappointingly sent his free-kick into the crowd.

Efrain Juarez became the first player to be yellow-carded at the World Cup, his punishment coming for obstructing an attempt to quickly take a free-kick after he had handled.

Dos Santos again came close seconds later when a quick counter-attack resulted in the Galatasaray forward striking a rising shot narrowly wide.

There was a slightly nervy moment for Mexico after 22 minutes when Oscar Perez fumbled and then regathered Pienaar’s cross. Fortunately for the goalkeeper, there were no attacking players close enough to capitalise.

Khune continued to be kept busy and did well to keep out Franco after the former West Ham striker controlled well in the area only to see his shot blocked.

Bongani Khumalo then diverted another Dos Santos shot away for a corner, before Vela was denied by the linesman’s fine decision.

The home side finally came out of their shell in the closing moments of the half – Katlego Mphela failing to connect with Tshabalala’s well-floated cross and Kagisho Dikgacoi heading a corner wide.