World Cup 2010, Day 1

South Africa 1 - 1 Mexico
Uruguay 0 - 0 France



The very first two World Cup 2010 games were played today, in host country South Africa. Nothing too exciting, both games ended in ties, and no team asserted itself as a force to be reckoned with. Not even France, for whom Uruguay's tenacious defense proved to be impenetrable.

The most jaw-dropping moment of the game however, in terms of sheer audacity, came when French striker, Thierry Henry, who himself committed the infamous handball pass that led to France's stolen victory over the Republic of Ireland, qualifying them for the World Cup, called out what he saw as a handball violation in the second half of the game. A replay showed nothing but a chest trap that if anything came a little close to the player's arm. Irish fans watching at home must have enjoyed that one.

I would say that Uruguay played well, it's not easy to keep the French at bay. But of course, that's not how the people of Uruguay see it, they want a win. Uruguay has two WC championships under its belt--way, way, under, from 1930 and 1950.


So who were the REAL winners today? South Africa's beautiful new stadiums.

Soccer City Stadium, located in Johannesburg, and pictured above, has a soft, circular shape that is meant to mimic an African pot, a reference to the cultural melting pot of the World Cup games. It's a massive stadium that seats up to 90,000 face-painted, screaming fans. Equally stunning, is the luminous Cape Town Stadium, also new, which has a seating capacity of 68,000. Here it is as seen at night in full glow:



Incidentally, tomorrow's big game between the US and England will take place at Bafokeng Stadium which is more old school.



Look closely at this ordinary little stadium, who knows, after tomorrow's game it could go down in history as the place where the entire world learned to take the US team seriously.