France and Mexico have to be kicking themselves tonight as they both missed golden opportunities to take control of Group A and take a huge step towards the knockout stages.
Mexico had to feel confident that it would beat South Africa in the opening game of the World Cup. They are ranked 17th and facing an opponent that is ranked 83rd.
Mexico started off well and should have scored after only two minutes when South Africa 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.
Carlos Vela had a goal called back for offside and the question was when would Mexico score.
But in the second half South Africa started to expose the soft underbelly of the Mexico defense and after a terrific series of passes, Teko Modise sent Tshabalala clear of the Mexican defense, and he scored with a brilliant shot into the top corner of the net. A goal that will live in South Africa history.
“It was a great goal, very special for me,” Tshabalala said. “It was something of a present because I was celebrating my 50th appearance.”
South Africa had several chances to put the game away as Mexico pressed forward searching for that equalizer and they got it with 10 minutes left when Andres Guardado floated in a cross from the left and Rafael Marquez was left completely free to control the ball and score from close range.
Going into this game Mexico had to be thinking that if they got three points against South Africa then they would probably would need a point against France and Uruguay to progress to the knockout stages. Now they will have to beat either France or Uruguay which is a much harder proposition.
In Group A’s other game France and Uruguay played to a pretty boring 0-0 draw which was a great result for Uruguay. France dominated possession in this game but created few clear cut scoring chances.
The best French chance came after only seven minutes when Franck Ribery escaped down the left and crossed low only for Sydney Govou to sidefoot wide from six yards out.
So now instead of Mexico and France having three points after one game, every in Group A is tied with a single point. Uruguay, who have not got past the second round since 1970, have to be the happiest as they got as they have the easiest fixtures left. A win against South Africa next Wednesday will all but book their place in the knockout stages.
France and Mexico will meet next Thursday in a massive game for both teams. Whoever loses that game is all but out of the World Cup. That is what today’s draw means for both countries.
