JOHANNESBURG - Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez denied hosts South Africa a winning start to the World Cup with a late goal, earning Mexico a 1-1 draw at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Friday.

Mexico's Rafael Marquez (L) celebrates his goal with team mate Giovani dos Santos during the 2010 World Cup opening match against South Africa at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg June 11, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

In Cape Town, France were held 0-0 by Uruguay who were one man short in the last 13 minutes of play.

The World Cup opener kicked off after a short and entertaining ceremony. South African midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala opened the scoring 10 minutes after the break, sending the packed stadium into eruption.

But Mexico, taking control in most of the time, silenced the tens of thousands of "Vuvuzelas" as their captain, in plenty of space within the area, beat keeper Itumeleng Khune with a low finish in the 79th minute..

The hosts nearly created even bigger surprise but Katlego Mphela hit the ball against the post in the 91st minute.

Mexico should have been at least 2-0 up by halftime but they were punished for failing to convert a string of opportunities into goals.

South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira appeared content with Bafana Bafana's opening day play, saying the draw was a fair result.

"I believe the result was fair and I am happy," said the Brazilian.

Parreira has now set his sight on the Group A clash against France.

"Now we must beat France," he said.

Parreira admitted South Africa had a nervous start, saying "the opening game always puts a lot of pressure on home team."

"Ice has been broken and in next game the team will be more comfortable," he said.

In Cape Town's Green Point Stadium, France coach Raymond Domenech failed to break his opening day jinx as his team were deadlocked 0-0 with 10-man Uruguay.

Whenever France have started a World Cup or European Championship with Domenech in charge, they have started out with a goalless draw.

Uruguay substitute Lodeiro was shown the red card in the 81st minute after receiving two yellow cards during his 16 minutes on the pitch.

Uruguay closed down space on French attackers Franck Ribery and Nicolas Anelka but the South American team couldn't put up much offense itself.

France wasted the best opportunity before the break, with Sidney Govou side-footing wide from four yards.

Yoann Gourcuff also went close for France with a curling free kick which was saved by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.