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In front of 84,500 fanatical fans at Soccer City and amid a constant cacophony of vuvuzelas, Mexico threatened to blow South Africa off the park early before Bafana Bafana grabbed an unlikely lead only to concede a late equaliser as the game ended at 1-1.

But even then South Africa could have won after striker Katlego Mphela's shot hit the left post in injury time just as he threatened to send the host nation into raptures.

South Africa came into this tournament the lowest ranked nation ever to host a World Cup at number 90 on FIFA's official rankings and under pressure knowing that no host nation had ever failed to reach the second round of the World Cup.

And with Mexico ranked No.17 and playing in its fifth World Cup in succession and 14 overall - compared to South Africa which was making just its third appearance - the home fans knew their side faced a baptism of fire first-up.

Mexico's team sheet contained seven European-based players compared to just three for the home side with the rest of their starting line-up all playing in South Africa's lightly-regarded local league.

And despite the hosts coming into this game on a 12-match unbeaten streak under Brazil's 1994 World Cup winning coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, the worst fears of the host nation appeared set to unfold in the first half as Mexico dominated.

As early as the second minute and South Africa keeper Itumeleng Khune almost made a costly fumble which nearly allowed Mexico's exciting midfielder Giovani Dos Santos - who is based with EPL giant Tottenham - to score the opening goal.

It took until the third minute before South Africa even won clean possession as both sides struggled to come to grips with the ball flying everywhere in the 1700m altitude as long balls in particular were difficult to control.

Dos Santos came close again in the 19th minute when he shot just wide of the left post before Khune had to save from Mexico's Arsenal-based striker Carlos Vela in the 33rd minute.

South Africa's best chance of the first half came just before the break when Mphela just failed to get his head to a great cross from Siphiwe Tshabalala with the goal gaping.

And while the sides went to the break at 0-0, Mexico had been by far the better side as evidenced by the fact it had eight shots on goal to three as well as enjoying 57 percent of possession. South Africa did not even manage a single shot on target in the first half.

But having failed to make its dominance count Mexico paid a heavy price early in the second half as South Africa - sensing its chance - took control of the game.

The breakthrough finally came in the 55th minute as Tshabalala - who was by far South Africa's best player - produced a magnificent left-foot finish after played in behind the defence down the left by Teko Modise, another fine contributor for the home side.

The crowd went berserk but their joy was nearly short-lived as Mexico almost equalised five minutes later when Khune was forced to make a great diving save to keep out another stinging shot from Dos Santos, who was by far the visitors' best player.

At that stage South Africa looked like hanging on for what would have been only its second-ever victory in the World Cup Finals.

But slack marking cost it dearly in the 79th minute when Mexico's veteran defender Rafael Marquez - who plays for Spanish giants Barcelona - could hardly miss when left alone at the far post after a delightful chip ball over the top of the home defence by substitute Andres Guardado.

It was the least Mexico deserved given its first-half dominance but had Mphela taken his chance late-on Mexico still would have gone home empty-handed although a draw was a fair result even if it left the 84,000 strong crowd disappointed.

South Africa: 1 (Tshabalala 55)
Mexico: 1 (Marquez 79)
CROWD: 84,490 - At Soccer City, Johannesburg

To see the World Cup party starting with fans in Sydney...