Mexico hold on to South African live-wire

Johannesberg: South Africa got off to a nervous start as the referee blew the whistle but they came back strongly to stun Mexico and take the lead in the second half before Rafael Marquez came to rescue for Mexico.


The 19th edition of the Fifa World Cup between the host nations South Africa and Mexico started off in a lively fashion for the Mexicans, as they took early possession and put the Africans on the backfoot.
Mexico created all the early chances putting early crosses from the flanks but never managed to convert their opportunities as the South Africans struggled big time to keep pace with the Mexican moves.

In the 16th minute South Africa created some half-chances but was never able to test the Mexican goalie.

Giovani Dos Santos for the Mexicans came close in the 19th minute but he failed to hit the target and the Mexicans were left frustrated, unable to convert their good chances.

The first yellow card was shown to Kagisho Evidence Dikgacoi 28th minute, as south Africa was unable to retain possession.

The Mexicans were just rolling the ball nicely in the midfield, switching the ball from right flank to left and vice-versa.
At the 32nd minute Carlos Vela fed a dangerous ball to Guillermo Franco who came up with the best chance of the first half but he was denied by the South African goalie full stretched, managing to get the ball away.
The South African defense was getting exposed and was all over the place as the Mexicans continued to push for the first goal.

G. Dos Santos came close again after South African defense gave away the ball cheaply, where his left-foot shot was deflected for corner in the 37th minute. The corner was followed with a the Mexican goal but it was disallowed as the striker was caught ahead of the goal keeper.

A frustrating half for the Mexicans as they failed to convert their chances and the hosts managed to pull towards the end of first half.

For the first time in the game around 42nd minute South Africa came up with a lively show, creating chances and winning four corners back to back but were unable to find the target.

Eventually, neither teams managed to find the net at the end of first 45 minutes.

As the second half began, the Mexicans again looked to absorb the game with their clinical passing moves and continously looking to break through the South African defense.
South Africa stunned the Mexicans with a goal in the 55th minute with Siphiwe Tshabalala netting a terrific goal, left-footed strike to open the account for Bafana Bafana.


With a goal down the Mexicans tried hard to keep their composure as the home team grew with confidence especially after the first goal. Giovani Dos Santos came real close with a powerful left footer but was denied by South African khune, who had an impressive match with the gloves.

As the game progressed South Africa started to dominate the possession and the game seemed to take a complete turn around. The home team created chances after chances and came really close in doubling their lead.
Whereas the Mexicans looked completely down and out and all over the place.

Out of nowhere Rafael Marquez hit back on the South Africans on the 79th minute after he fed with a superb ball from the left. The 31-year-old was found unmarked and he coolly hit the ball pass the goalkeeper.
After Mexico equalized, the game looked very much open with both teams creating chances.

In the 90th minute Mphela got a great chance to seal a win for Bafana Bafana but the his shot struck the post as the home crowd watched anxiously waiting for the winning goal.

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