The 2026 FIFA World Cup got underway in dramatic fashion on Thursday as co-hosts Mexico secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over South Africa at the iconic Azteca Stadium, in a match that produced more red cards than goals.
Backed by a passionate home crowd, El Tri made a fast start and nearly opened the scoring inside five minutes when Raul Jimenez forced a fine save from South African captain Ronwen Williams.
The warning signs were there, but Bafana Bafana failed to respond, and Mexico soon found the breakthrough.
A loose touch from Yaya Sithole gifted possession to Julian Quinones, who calmly slotted the ball through Williams’ legs in the ninth minute to score the first goal of the tournament.
The strike was the earliest opening goal at a FIFA World Cup since Philipp Lahm scored for Germany in the 2006 edition.
Mexico dominated much of the first half, with Quinones continuing to torment the South African defence. The forward came agonisingly close to doubling the advantage before the break when his side-footed effort struck the base of the post.
Any hopes of a South African comeback suffered a major setback shortly after the restart. Sithole, already at fault for the opening goal, was shown a straight red card in the 49th minute after bringing down Brian Gutiérrez as the last defender.
With the numerical advantage, Mexico increased the pressure and eventually got the second goal their performance deserved.
Veteran striker Jimenez marked his first-ever FIFA World Cup start with a goal, arriving at the back post to convert Roberto Alvarado’s inviting cross and put the hosts firmly in control.
South Africa’s frustrations boiled over late in the contest when substitute Themba Zwane received a straight red card following an altercation with Alvarado, reducing Bafana Bafana to nine men.
Mexico were not immune from disciplinary trouble themselves, as Cesar Montes was controversially dismissed in the closing stages for a cynical challenge on Khuliso Mudau.
However, the red card proved little more than a footnote as the hosts comfortably saw out the victory.
The result extends Mexico’s unbeaten record in FIFA World Cup opening matches to eight games and gives Javier Aguirre’s side an early advantage in Group A as they pursue a deep run on home soil.
Mexico will next face South Korea on June 19, while South Africa travel to Atlanta to take on the Czech Republic a day earlier in a must-win encounter for Hugo Broos’ men.
