World Cup opener: Mexico beat South Africa 2-0

Editor

Hosts Mexico began their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 2–0 win over South Africa in an ill-tempered opening match that saw three red cards and the African side finish with nine men at the Estadio Azteca on Thursday. South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off.

Julian Quinones got the limelight scoring the opening goal of this World Cup. Raul Jimenez added a second to give the co-hosts a good start.

South Africa coach Hugo Broos had warned his players to be ready for the intimidating atmosphere created by a capacity crowd of 80,824 at the imposing concrete arena.

But South Africa’s players looked to have a bad case of stage fright as Mexico’s fans greeted each completed pass with a raucous chorus of “Ole!” in the opening minutes.

Sithole seemed particularly affected, being caught in possession trying to play out of the back for Quinones’ opening goal.

Sithole’s miserable afternoon ended with a 49th minute dismissal after bundling over Mexico’s Brian Gutierrez when clean through on goal.

Mexico rammed home their advantage in the 67th minute, with a fine counter attack culminating in Roberto Alvarado crossing for Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Jimenez to nod home at the far post.

It got worse for South Africa in the 84th minute when Zwane was dismissed after a VAR review for flinging an arm into the face of Alvarado.

It was bad news also for Mexican defender Cesar Montes who was shown a red card for a clumsy challenge on Khulisa Mudau on the edge of the penalty area.