Fans filled viewing areas in parks, city squares and beaches across South Africa for Friday's opening match of the World Cup.

In downtown Johannesburg, a viewing area was so packed that a small crowd-control barrier was toppled. At least one person could was seen later being treated at a first-aid tent, but officials did not immediately release more information.

Taking a cue from the 2006 World Cup in Germany, South African city officials set up 10 fan parks in the nine host cities - two in Johannesburg, the country's economic hub.

The enclosed parks feature matches on giant screens, other entertainment and stalls where food and drink is sold. Other public and private viewing areas were also set up.

Police said that while the areas were full across the country, no serious incidents had been reported.

At least a quarter of the South African work force is unemployed and poverty levels are high, ensuring ticket prices for games are out of reach for many.

In Durban, thousands of revellers gathered at an official fan zone on the beach to watch the action. The volume of the constant din of vuvuzela horns cranked up a few more notches and fireworks erupted in the evening sky as South Africa scored the first goal. The game against Mexico ended in a 1-1 draw.

In Rustenburg, where the United States-England match doesn't kick off until Saturday night, it looked like a game day. Almost everyone was dressed in Bafana Bafana T-shirts or jackets, and many people wore tall, fuzzy hats or puffy wigs in the colours of the South African flag. The blare of vuvuzelas provided a festive soundtrack to the crowded streets, where people smiled and traded handshakes, and most cars were decorated with South African flags.

About 20,000 fans were packed into the Bergvoan High School athletics field in Nelspruit. Vuvuzelas wailed and the crowd danced in front of the big screen when South Africa took the lead in the second half. The atmosphere was only slightly dampened by Mexico's equaliser.

Police brigadier Riaan Koegelenberg said the mass event went off without incident.

Taulani Sambo, a 33-year-old library assistant, said: "This event has broken my heart. Today I realised how great South Africa is, seeing all these people come together."

In impoverished Jericho, about an hour's drive north of Johannesburg, about 600 people watched a solar-powered big screen provided by the environmental group Greenpeace. Jericho's villagers have no electricity.

Dressed in the red, white, green, yellow, black and blue of the South African flag, they filled a school hall decked in the flags of all participating nations.

"This screen came as a blessing," said Desmond Mashigoane.

Alec Phateng, an unemployed father of two, said the screen "has brought us together as a community."

"I came to watch our team, and I am happy with their performance," he added.

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