Official lineups for Mexico - South Africa
Mexique : Rangel - Sanchez, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo - Lira - Gutierrez, Alvarado, Fidalgo, Quinones - Jimenez
Afrique du Sud : Williams - Sibisi, Okon, Mbokazi - Mudau, Mokoena, Sithole, Adams, Modiba - Rayners, Foster
Second half underway
That's half-time at the Azteca
4 minutes of added time
Huge chance for Mexico!
Quinones bends another effort towards goal from inside the box, but the right post denies him by inches.
The Bafana Bafana finally threaten
Foster rises well and gets a clear header on goal, but his effort goes wide of Rangel's post.
South Africa seek the opening
The Bafana Bafana keep the ball moving, looking for openings and swift counter-attacking opportunities.
Play resumes
The players take to the pitch again.
Time for a cooling break
The players are taking a breather on the sideline.
Gutierrez is cautioned for a bad challenge
First yellow card for the Bafana Bafana
Mokoena is shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Mexico's Fidalgo
Mexico in command
Following their logical opening goal, Mexico has seized control of the match. South Africa are offered mere scraps in the opening 15 minutes as the hosts dictate play at the Azteca.
Gooooooooooal
Julian Quinones capitalises on a South African mistake at the edge of the box and fires Mexico ahead. 1-0.
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Jimenez tests Williams
Mexico win a corner. Raul Jimenez's first-time shot towards the bottom left is thwarted by a brilliant diving save from Ronwen Williams.
Early pressure pays off for Mexico
Mexico keeps the heat on in South Africa's half. Aubrey Modiba fouls and it's a free kick to Mexico, but too far out for any real danger.
Off we go!
Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio takes charge.
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- The teams take the pitch
- Gooooooooooal
Alejandro Fernández stirs the nation
Mexico's beloved tenor sings the national anthem, "Mexicanos, al grito de guerra" and the entire Azteca roars back.
Tyla sings 'Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika'
"God Bless Africa" was the resistance anthem during apartheid. It became the official hymn in 1990, after Mandela's release. Tyla sings it now at the Azteca, carrying decades of struggle and hope.
For the third time in its history, Mexico's iconic Azteca Stadium will host the opening match of the World Cup on Thursday at 3pm ET as Mexico take on South Africa in the first of the tournament's 104 matches.
The Bafana Bafana and El Tri faced each other in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup, drawing 1-1 in Johannesburg. South Africa's most recent major tournament ended in January when they were knocked out by Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16.
Mexico are unbeaten in their last eight matches, equalling their longest undefeated run heading into a World Cup and giving Javier Aguirre's side a timely boost in confidence ahead of the tournament. More than 80,000 fans are expected to pack the renovated Azteca Stadium for the opening match in what promises to be a festive atmosphere.
The match will be preceded by a 15-minute opening ceremony featuring, among others, Colombian superstar Shakira, who will perform the World Cup anthem "Dai Dai" alongside Nigerian singer Burna Boy.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)
