World Cup 2010: The best pics of South Africa v Mexico

Here at last, the 2010 World Cup finals! Excited? You should be. No doubt Clive Tyldesley will have something suitably grandiose to say about it before kick-off ... something about a global audience waiting with anticipation and a nation's chance to shine ... enough of that Clive, just look at the pretty pictures
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

FIFA's head honcho Sepp Blatter and South Africa's president Jacob Zuma are all smiles before kick off
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

And after a colourful opening ceremony, the two teams finally enter the pitch. It's about time, more like
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

A young mascot looks endearingly at the Mexican players as they line-up for the national anthems
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The atmosphere off the pitch is buzzing and the action on it is pretty frisky too. Not the usual opening match humdrum then. Here, Mexico's Giovani Dos Santos is levered off the ball as two South African players block his run
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Guillermo Franco has a shot saved by Itumeleng Khune as Mexico look to silence the noise of the vuvuzelas
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Dos Santos, a menace throughout the first half, tumbles under a challenge from Kagisho Dikgacoi
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

South African fans urge their team on
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Mexico continue to threaten, but can't beat the keeper
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Guillermo Franco rises highest, but again 'El Tri' are denied
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

A breakthrough at last! Siphiwe Tshabalala scores a thunderous strike to give the hosts the lead in the 55th minute - you won't see a sweeter connection than that all tournament
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Time for a bizarre celebration ... an amalgamation of Bebeto's rocking baby and Roger Milla's classic corner flag boogie
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

94,000 people are inside the stadium watching this match and if the scoreline stays like this most of them will be going home happy
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Kagisho Dikgacoi is tugged by Efraín Juárez
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Steven Pienaar climbs above Carlos Salcido
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Goal for Mexico! Twelve minutes from time and they're level. Rafael Marquez slots in from the back post and runs off in delight with Dos Santos catching a free ride
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Katlego Mphela looks a bit peeved at the prospect of a draw
Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The final whistle blows and it's ended 1-1. What an absolute cracker that was
Photograph: Tom Jenkins