South Africa draw World Cup opening game

<p><br /> Africa's first World Cup has opened with a pulsating 1-1 draw between South Africa and Mexico.<br /> </p><p><br /> A late goal deprived the hosts of victory before more than 84,000 passionate fans at the futuristic Soccer City.<br /> </p><p><br /> The South Africans opened the scoring through Siphiwe Tshabalala who slammed a fierce left foot drive into the net in the 55th minute against the run of play in a match dominated early on by Mexico.<br /> </p><p><br /> But Rafael Marquez equalised 11 minutes from time, driving home from close range as the South African defence fell apart.<br /> </p><p><br /> Although the hosts were denied victory, the excitement of the day, against an endless drone of noise from thousands of vuvuzelas, lifted the mood.<br /> </p>