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Decent start, can do better. That could be the report card for the three Latin American sides that have played their opening matches in the World Cup.
Argentina leads the way with its opening 1-0 win against Nigeria, but Mexico's 1-1 draw with host nation South Africa and 10-man Uruguay's point from a 0-0 draw against 1998 champion France were both received with cautious optimism back home.
Argentina ``suffered'' while clinging to a 1-0 lead, Mexico was ``lucky'' and ``breathes again'' after scoring a late equalizer and Uruguay had ``no creativity'' and ``struggled'' to hold on. That was the assessment by media in the three countries.
The remaining Latin American teams play their opening matches in the coming days. Paraguay plays Italy on Monday, five-time winner Brazil takes on North Korea on Tuesday, while Honduras plays Chile on Wednesday.
The last time that a Latin American team besides Brazil won the World Cup was Argentina in 1986. The South American country also won it in 1978.
Argentina clung nervously to an early goal from Gabriel Heinze on Saturday after failing to convert a number of clear opportunities. Argentina would have sweated less had Lionel Messi found a way past Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.
``Argentina suffered to beat Nigeria in a debut of ups and downs,'' according to La Prensa newspaper, while the headline in Clarin was ``Argentina suffered but took the first step.''
More pointedly, Messi's performance was appreciated by a home media often critical that his form for Barcelona seldom materializes in an Argentina shirt.
``Messi was the player that everybody was hoping to see,'' La Prensa newspaper said.
Uruguay, which won the first World Cup in 1930 and again in 1950, may have to wait a bit longer after Friday's performance against France.
The match produced an opening day dud. France winger Franck Ribery and Uruguay striker Diego Forlan showed flashes of their potential, but the fear of losing the opening game stifled offensive tactics for much of the match.
On paper, Uruguay's scoreless draw with France after having Nicolas Lodeiro sent off looks a better result, but there was frustration back home with the general performance.
El Pais online columnist Eduardo Pinon said being tough to beat won't get the team through the group.
``There was no creativity and all that ended up happening was a struggle. Just struggling,'' he wrote. ``We played very little, and just getting stuck in won't be enough.''
Mexico, meanwhile, had trouble converting possession and build-up play into goals in the first half against South Africa on Friday when chance after chance was spurned in the tournament's first match. South Africa took the lead in the 55th minute, leaving the Mexicans to chase nervously for an equalizer. Mexico finally got it in the 79th.
The main culprit against South Africa was Argentina-born striker Guillermo Franco, who may find his place coming under pressure from Manchester United signing Javier Hernandez.
Mexican newspapers reflected the relief of fans back home that an opening day loss had been averted.
``A lucky draw,'' said El Universal, while Reforma newspaper said: ``El Tri breathes again after draw.''
Uruguay plays its next match against South Africa on June 16, while Mexico plays France a day later.
