Mexico opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 victory over South Africa at Azteca Stadium, in a clash which saw three red cards dished out.
Julian Quinones fired Mexico in front from Erik Lira’s short pass after the latter intercepted Yaya Sithole’s touch on a pass from Ronwen Williams’ short goal-kick.
Raul Jimenez wrapped up victory with a 67th-minute header into the bottom left corner from Roberto Alvarado’s cross, but their celebrations were tamed by a late red card for Cesar Montes for a foul on Khuilso Mudau.
The result left Mexico sat top of Group A whilst South Africa sat rock bottom after they finished with nine men, as Sithole and Themba Zwane were shown second-half red cards for a foul on Brian Gutierrez and violent conduct on Alvarado respectively.
South Korea slotted into second ahead of Czech Republic after Hwang In-Beom and Oh Hyeon-Gyu netted in a comeback 2-1 victory over the Czechs, with the European side having initially led through Ladislav Krejci’s header from Vladimir Coufal’s long throw-in.
Following a lively opening ceremony, Mexico continued to lift the crowd’s mood with a positively energetic start in which they pegged South Africa back into their opening half in the opening eight minutes, during which Williams saved Jimenez’s fifth-minute shot.
Their early control and press soon paid dividends in the ninth minute as Williams’ short goal-kick to Sithole was intercepted by Erik Lira, whose touch diverted the ball to the feet of Quinones to side-step Sithole to slot the tournament’s opening goal into the bottom right corner.
Mexico subsequently continued to push for a second goal as Brian Gutierrez and Jimenez forced saves from Williams and Quinones hit the post via a deflection, whilst South Africa failed to create any shots before half time in a lacklustre first half.
Any hope of a second-half fightback from South Africa was almost killed off just seconds into the restart as Gutierrez intercepted Williams’ short goal-kick but his cutback pass was blocked.
Gutierrez continued to prove problematic as he pounced on a late 48th-minute direct forward cross, only to be brought down by Sithole, who consequently was red carded for his careless tackle which cost the Mexican a goalscoring opportunity.
Mexico continued to dominate possession and got their reward from Alvarado’s 67th-minute cross, which found Jimenez unmarked to nod into his near-bottom left corner for his first goal at a World Cup to double to tournament co-hosts’ lead.
South Africa’s lacklustre evening got worse in the 84th minute after substitute, Zwane was sent off for hitting Alvarado on the head with his arm during a tussle during an Mexican attack.
Mexico eventually saw out the win to put themselves top of Group A, although the celebrations were tamed by a 92nd-minute red card for Montes after he brought down Mudau in a slightly mis-timed tackle.
What’s Next?
Mexico face South Korea in their second group match at Estadio Akron on Thursday 18 June at 7pm local time (2am BST, Friday 19 June).
South Africa will be in action earlier that day against Czech Republic at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA, in a 12pm EDT (5pm BST) kick-off.
Teams
Mexico: Raul Rangel, Israel Reyes, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo, Erik Lira (Alvarez 76′), Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutierrez (L.Chavez 66′), Alvaro Fidalgo (Mora 66′), Julian Quinones (Vega 79′), Raul Jimenez (Gonzalez 76′)
Substitutes: Carlos Acevedo, Mateo Chavez, Luis Chavez, Santiago Gimenez, Armando Gonzalez, Cesar Huerta, Guillermo Martinez, Gilberto Mora, Guillermo Ochoa, Orbelin Pineda, Luis Romo, Jorge Sanchez, Obed Vargas, Alexis Vega, Edson Alvarez
South Africa, Ronwen Williams, Khuilso Mudau, Ime Okon, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba (Appollis 77′), Teboho Mokoena, Yaya Sithole, Jayden Adams (Zwane 61′), Lyle Foster (Mbatha 56′), Iqraam Rayners (Makgopa 77′)
Substitutes: Oswin Appollis, Sipho Chaine, Bradley Cross, Ricardo Goss, Samukele Kabini, Evidence Makgopa, Olwethu Makhanya, Thapelo Maseko, Thabang Matuludi, Thalente Mbatha, Relebohile Mofokeng, Tshepang Moremi, Khulumani Ndamane, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Themba Zwane
Referee – Wilton Pereira Sampaio (Brazil)
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