South Africa midfielder Tshabalala put Bafana Bafana ahead against the run of play 10 minutes after half-time, the Kaizer Chiefs star breaking away on the left, outstripping the defence to collect a through-ball from Steven Pienaar, and unleashing a powerful drive past Mexico goalkeeper Oscar Perez to send the host nation into raptures. South Africa looked likely to claim only their second victory in World Cup finals history, having been outplayed throughout the first half, and Teko Modise could have made the game safe for the hosts in the 70th minute. The striker got the better of his marker but shot weakly when one-on-one with Perez, allowing the goalkeeper to gather the ball. South Africa realised the true worth of Modise's miss nine minues later, when they were made to pay for poor defence 11 minutes from full-time. Aaron Mokoena was left trying to mark three players as Mexico substitute Andres Guardado crossed from the left following a short corner, but South Africa's captain couldn't get his head to the ball and Marquez had time to bring it down on the apex of the six-yard box before slotting it past goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune. The result will be seen as a shock, for South Africa are the lowest-ranked team in the finals, even though they are now unbeaten in 13 matches, but the hosts will feel they could have won the game - particularly as striker Katlego Mphela hit the post in the 90th minute. Mphela outpaced the Mexico defence as he chased a long-ball,but his left-foot shot from an angle came back off the near post.
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