Clash between police and protesters during the first match of the World Cup in Mexico

(Patria) - Dozens of protesters clashed with police outside the Estadio Azteca stadium in Mexico City as South Africa and Mexico played the first match of the World Cup in front of 80,000 fans, AFP reported.

Groups of teachers, relatives of missing Mexicans and student activists gathered early Thursday in front of the stadium amid a heavy police presence.

Some protesters broke through barriers and exchanged blows with police officers guarding the stadium perimeter, moments after Mexico scored the first goal of the tournament.

Several young men smashed vehicle windows with sticks while police fired tear gas and sent mounted officers to round up the protesters, who scattered.

The Mexican government has been facing weeks of protests, mainly by teachers demanding better working conditions.

For a time, it seemed that the protests could prevent the city from organizing an official World Cup fan zone in its famous Zocalo.

Thousands of fans poured into the square on Thursday, pushing and shoving through metal barriers, creating chaotic scenes just before the start of the tournament's opening match.