© Press Association 2010.

Rafael Marquez denied hosts South Africa a dream start to the World Cup with his goal 11 minutes from time earning Mexico a deserved 1-1 draw at Soccer City.

After struggling through the first half, the home side came out firing after the break and took the lead through Siphiwe Tshabalala.

But after missing plenty of chances to build on their advantage, they saw their lead cancelled out by the Barcelona defender.

Katlego Mphela could have snatched victory at the death, but his strike found the base of the post as both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.

After an entertaining opening ceremony in Johannesburg, Bafana Bafana failed to make the most of their advantage, much to the disappointment of the 85,000 crowd. The visitors almost stunned their hosts inside the first 120 seconds, but were thwarted by a last-ditch block by Aaron Mokoena.

It came after Paul Aguilar's cross from the right was not convincingly cleared by Itumeleng Khune and Giovani dos Santos' shot was repelled by the South Africa captain with an empty net gaping.

Steven Pienaar sent South Africa's only real early chance - a 25-yard free-kick - disappointingly over, while Efrain Juarez became the first player to be booked at the World Cup for trying to slow down play.

Lucas Thwala, who was stretched down the left in the opening 45 minutes, was replaced by Tsepo Masilela at half time as Carlos Alberto Parreira looked to shore up in defence, but it was in attack where they prospered - taking the lead through a fine Tshabalala effort after 55 minutes.

The Kaizer Chiefs midfielder was put through on the left by an excellent ball from Teko Modise and unleashed a powerful cross-goal shot that gave Oscar Perez no chance.

Javier Hernandez entered the fray but it was another substitute that set up the equaliser - Andres Guardado's cross from the left looping over the head of Mokoena and Marquez took a touch before firing in.