Vela's World Cup opening goal that wasn't. Pic via Eurosport.
South Africa 1: Tshabalala 55
Mexico 1: Marquez 79
Arsenal's Carlos Vela became the first player in the 2010 FIFA World Cup to put the ball in the net. He was also the first player to have a goal called back on an offside. And yes, it was the correct call.
In a 0-0 game in the first half, a Mexico corner came to Carlos Vela. South Africa's keeper disastrously put himself out of position by missing the crossing ball by a mile. But, in the process of making this mistake in positioning, he put Vela behind 10 of the 11 South African players in addition to the ball, and as such, he put Vela into an offside position.
Despite dominating the early going of play, Mexico found themselves scoreless at the halftime mark against hosts South Africa in the first match of the World Cup. Then, South Africa struck first in the 55th with a brilliant left footed strike from Tshabalala. Vela was subbed off in the 69th minute and Mexico equalized ten minutes later and eleven minutes from time after a defensive lapse by the home side followed a botched short corner by the Mexicans. South Africa had a brilliant chance to score a late winner, but Mphela hit the post after not getting the best of final touches on the ball.
The French, along with their four Gunners, will play Uruguay later today.
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