Dozens of protesters clashed with police Thursday outside the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City as South Africa and Mexico played the first match of the World Cup before 80 000 fans.

Groups of teachers, relatives of Mexicans who have gone missing, and student activists gathered early Thursday outside the stadium amid a heavy police presence.

Some protesters breached barriers and exchanged blows with officers guarding the stadium’s perimeter, moments after Mexico scored the tournament’s first goal.

A handful of youths smashed vehicle windows with bats as police fired tear gas and dispatched mounted officers to corral the protesters, who scattered on foot.

ALSO READ: Nine-man Bafana Bafana crumble to Mexico in World Cup opener marred by double red card

Mexico’s government has faced weeks of protests, mainly by teachers demanding better working conditions.

For a time it appeared the protests might prevent the city from staging an official World Cup fan zone in its famed Zocalo.

But thousands of fans poured into the plaza on Thursday, shoving and jostling their way through metal barriers, creating chaotic scenes shortly before kick-off in the opening game.