To those who thought that South Africa would mount the worst display of any host nation since France were knocked out of the opening rounds in 1934, Siphiwe Tshabalaba's stunning shot was a jaw-dropping reply. Had Katlego Mphela not struck the post late in the second half, then South Africa might have pulled off the victory that would have given them one foot in the second round.

They were stronger in midfield than many expected, where Fulham's Kagiso Dikgacoi, who had appeared badly out of form in the  pre-tournament friendlies,  proved highly impressive. And yet had Mexico taken their chances, the vuvuzelas might have been silenced before the game was 20 minutes old. Carlos Vela and Giovanni dos Santos were especially wasteful. If anything, Mexico were too open with the South Africa coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira, remarking that they did not seem to know or care how to defend.

Nevertheless, France will not relish facing Mexico in Polokwane, while South Africa have calmed the nerves that threatened to choke them. The pressure on Parreira's men was enormous in Soccer City and that they endured was enough. Pretoria and Uruguay will be less of a mental obstacle.