Mexico tops South Africa 2-0 in World Cup opener with three red cards
It’s an opening-day triumph for Mexico to start the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a matchup that was always likely to have just one outcome, El Tri topped South Africa 2-0 at the Estadio Azteca (Mexico City Stadium) to open Group A play on Thursday.
In a rematch of the 2010 World Cup opener, the script was flipped as Mexico scored early and first on home soil.
South Africa turned over possession trying to play out from the back, as Erik Lira put a foot in to win the ball. Winger Julian Quinones took on the ball and showed off his flair to score through goalie Ronwen Williams’ legs in the ninth minute.
South Africa settled in from there but lacked the quality in the final third to threaten Mexico’s defense.
Quinones later hit the post in the 42nd minute and later set up Brian Gutierrez for a key chance, but the score remained 1-0 at halftime.
Then early in the second half, a cheap giveaway by Williams almost resulted in another goal for Mexico. But El Tri wasn’t as sharp to react and saw the moment go by with nothing gained.
Things went from bad to worse for South Africa when Sphephelo Sithole received a straight red card in the 49th minute for denying Gutierrez of a clear goal-scoring opportunity just outside the box.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Raul Jimenez then added the second goal for Mexico in the 67th minute as the home crowd began to get restless, jeering and letting the players know to increase the intensity with a player advantage.
Jimenez got free in the back post and easily converted a header from Roberto Alvarado’s in-swinging cross from the right flank.
Then the vibes decreased to another level for the Bafana Bafana. Themba Zwane received a red card in the 84th minute after an off-ball incident where he appeared to unnecessarily strike Alvarado, who stayed on the ground in pain.
But the red cards didn’t stop there.
Mexican center-back Cesar Montes received a red card for fouling right-back Khuliso Mudau in open space in transition. The referee did not think twice for issuing the card, which came in stoppage time of the second half.
It’s the first World Cup opening match that featured three red cards.
In the end, Mexico claimed all three points in its goal to finish atop the group. Next up is Son Heung-min and South Korea on Thursday, June 18, while the Bafana Bafana will take on Czechia.
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