Mexico beats South Africa in first match of the FIFA World Cup

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Protests have largely wound down in Mexico City following a brief outbreak of clashes between suspected members of the Black Block and police. 

Mexico City saw protests throughout the day as the national team took to the field against South Africa. 

Mexico’s win also sparked the first party of the tournament, as celebrations broke out in the fan zone in the city’s historic core.

That late red card was the only blemish on an otherwise spotless, celebratory afternoon for Mexico, who are off to a great start in this tournament.

The Mexicans fully deserved the win, registering 60 per cent possession and an eye-popping 16 shots on goal to South Africa's three. They could have — and maybe should have — scored more than two.

South Africa put up a fight but looked a little nervous in defence and could barely get any good sights on Mexico's goal. The first red card in the 50th minute effectively ended their hopes in this match. They'll have to pick themselves up before their next match against Czechia next Thursday.

Up next for Mexico is a tougher test against South Korea, also next Thursday.

This is getting messy. But Mexico's César Montes can have little complaint over that red card as he makes no attempt to play the ball in stopping a surging run by South Africa's Khuliso Mudau.

South Africa has a good chance to pull a goal back with a free kick just outside the box — but it comes to nothing.

Oh dear. It's just not South Africa's afternoon. They're now down to nine men on the pitch after a second sending off.

Initially it didn't look like there was much in Themba Zwane's challenge on Mexico's Roberto Alvarado. But VAR informed the referee to have a second look, and it was deemed Zwane caught Alvarado in the face. 

Zwane is off and this match is all but over for South Africa. 

We're getting reports from one of our team members covering the protests that police have clashed with reported members of Mexico City's "Black Block."

This group — which appears to be trying to break through the cordon to the Azteca stadium — often seeks confrontation with police, who are using smoke and other measures to push the protesters back. 

Mostly peaceful protests have been unfolding throughout the day, led by the families and mothers of the disappeared. 

A national teachers' union, which has set up a protest camp near the fan zone in the historic centre, has also been marching in the streets. 

Mexico makes its advantage count as Raúl Jiménez peels away from two South African defenders to nod in a Roberto Alvarado cross. That's a very well taken goal.

Mexico is now firmly in control and South Africa might have to concentrate on avoiding conceding any more goals for the rest of this match.

We're now in a hydration break.

The afternoon just got a whole lot more difficult for South Africa. Mexico's Brian Gutiérrez was through on goal but was clipped and sent tumbling by South African defender Sphephelo S'Miso Sithole, who gets a straight red card and is sent off.

The only good news for South Africa is that the foul occurred just outside the box, so no penalty was given — and Mexico's attempt to score from the free kick came to nothing. But they now have to play out 40 minutes with one man less.

South Africa gets things going again — and very nearly concedes a second goal from the get-go. Williams' slack pass out from his goal is intercepted by Álvaro Fidalgo, who races into the South African box but ultimately has his shot blocked. 

Dan Burritt

Meanwhile, here at the FIFA Fan Zone at Hastings Park in Vancouver, it's been clear skies, sunny and warm, but some clouds are moving in now. 

The grass here is a sea of Aztec green as Mexico supporters cheer on their team against South Africa.

Susanna Garcia and Edwin Ruiz are enjoying shade, snacks and the score line as Mexico leads 1-0.

I'm at the FIFA Fan Fest in Toronto, where officials have just announced the event has been cancelled due to severe weather. 

People are now funneling out. Fans I've spoken with say they're incredibly disappointed, with some saying today was going to be their World Cup experience and they travelled to Toronto specifically for the fan fest. 

Environment Canada says there's a risk of thunderstorms early this evening for Toronto.

A spokesperson for the city said the event was evacuated "out of an abundance of caution" due to a risk of lightning. The festival won't reopen today, the spokesperson said in an email.

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