World Cup Round up

The biggest football tournament on earth, the World Cup, kicked off today in South Africa with a late goal from Rafael Marquez denying South Africa a dream victory in the opening game of the 2010 finals in Johannesburg.



Rafael Marquez provided the heart-breaking equalizer after Andres Guardado floated in a left-footed cross from the left. The unmarked Marquez controlled the ball and side-footed it into the net in the 79th minute.



Siphiwe Tshabalala had given the host nation a dream start, finishing off a well-worked move in the 55th to set off wild celebrations at Soccer City among the more than 90,000 horn-blowing fans.



The day’s other match also ended in a draw. France endured another lacklustre start to a World Cup campaign by playing out a dour goalless draw with Uruguay in Cape Town.



France winger Franck Ribery and Uruguay striker Diego Forlan showed flashes of their potential, but the fear of losing the opening game stifled offensive tactics for much of the match.



The low point came when Uruguay substitute Nicolas Lodeiro, who came on in the 63rd minute, was sent off with two yellow cards after a wild challenge on Bacary Sagna in the 81st minute.



In the end, an early goalmouth miss from France forward Sidney Govou and excellent save from Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera left Group ‘A’ as wide open as possible.



The sellout match at the 64,100-seat Green Point Stadium had little of the thrills and drama of the 1-1 opener between South Africa and Mexico, but the result left all four teams tied with one point.



South Africa play Uruguay next on Wednesday, one day before France meet Mexico.