updated 3:38 p.m. ET June 11, 2010
JOHANNESBURG - A joyous day for South Africa. A not quite perfect result.
South Africa gave up the lead(领先) on a goal(进球) by Mexico’s Rafael Marquez in the 79th minute and settled for a 1-1 draw(平局) Friday before 84,000 horn-blaring fans, whose euphoria(极度兴奋/激动) over the start of the first World Cup on the continent was only slightly dimmed by the tie(平分).
The match followed a day of celebration throughout all of Africa — though the excitement was tempered(缓和) by the death of Nelson Mandela’s great-granddaughter in a car accident on the eve of the opener.