Mexico & Angola draw

Ten-man Angola clinched a memorable World Cup result on Friday when they held Mexico to a 0-0 draw, leaving the world number four's qualification for the last 16 on a knife-edge. Angola, who had midfielder Akwa sent off for handball with 10 minutes left, survived several scares in a battling performance which will live long in the memory of the war-scarred country.

Clubless goalkeeper Joao Ricardo put in a bravura performance, palming away a fierce drive by Mexico captain Rafael Marquez in the final minutes.

Earlier, he had batted away a lob by Omar Bravo, with Jamba clearing the rebound off the line.

Bravo looked certain to score when a miscued clearance fell to his feet, but he shot tamely at Joao Ricardo.

It was a hellish night for Bravo, who scored twice in Mexico's 3-1 win over Mexico, as he hit the post in a frantic close.

But Angola, ranked more than 50 points below Mexico, survived to keep their World Cup dream alive on debut.

Mexico started brightly with Carlos Salcido curling a right-footer on to the top of the Angolan goal in the second minute.

Pavel Pardo warmed the hands of Joao Ricardo with a free-kick before Marquez blazed another low and off the right post.

But Angola began to creep forward after 20 minutes, with Figueiredo rasping a long shot over. Moments later Mateus could only poke the ball wide when it dropped to him in the box.

Mendonca lashed a ferocious free-kick high and wide of the goal and Marquez had his goalkeeper scrambling when he headed a cross just wide of his own post under pressure.

However, Mexico were unlucky not to go ahead when Bravo had a shot saved at point-blank range just before half-time.

Both teams signalled their intent in the second half when Angola brought on Benfica striker Mantorras and Mexico introduced Ramon Morales and the prolific Jose Fonseca.

But the cheers soon turned to sighs when Fonseca managed to skew a close volley wide of the goal.

Angola fell back in the final quarter of the match as Mexico desperately pressed for an opening.

But largely thanks to Joao Ricardo, they could not find a way through and Group D is now wide open with Portugal and Iran playing on Saturday.

Angola can now make a fairytale run to the second round if they beat Iran handily and Mexico lose against Portugal in their final games.

It was only the second point won by the five African teams at this World Cup.

Referee: Shamsul Maidin (SIN)
Pitch condition: good
Weather: chilly
Attendance: 43,000