By Fridah Mbuvi, June 12, 2026
Hosts Mexico launched their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating South Africa 2-0 in a dramatic and ill-tempered opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca on Thursday night.
The tournament curtain-raiser produced goals, controversy and a record-breaking disciplinary tally, with three players sent off in what became the most card-laden opening match in World Cup history.
Mexico seized the initiative early when forward Julián Quiñones scored the tournament’s first goal in the ninth minute. The striker capitalized on a costly turnover by South Africa deep inside their own half before calmly firing a low right-footed effort past the goalkeeper.
South Africa’s task became significantly harder four minutes into the second half when midfielder Sphephelo Sithole was shown a straight red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The dismissal made him the first player to be sent off in a World Cup opening match in more than three decades.
Mexico doubled their advantage in the 67th minute through veteran striker Raúl Jiménez, who headed home a precise delivery from Roberto Alvarado to score his maiden World Cup goal.
The contest descended further into chaos late in the second half when South African captain Themba Zwane received a red card following a VAR review for striking an opponent.
Mexico were also reduced to ten men in stoppage time after defender César Montes was dismissed for a tactical foul, but the hosts comfortably held on to secure all three points.
The victory places Mexico at the top of Group A alongside South Korea, who came from behind to defeat Czechia 2-1 in the group’s other fixture.
The match carried special historical significance. Sixteen years after Mexico and South Africa played out a 1-1 draw in the opening game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the two nations met again to launch another tournament, this time with Mexico emerging victorious on home soil.
The result also cemented the legacy of Estadio Azteca, which became the first stadium in football history to host opening matches at three different FIFA World Cups after previously staging the tournament curtain-raisers in 1970 and 1986.
Mexico will now turn their attention to their second Group A fixture as they seek to build momentum toward the knockout stages, while South Africa face an uphill battle after suffering defeat and losing two players to suspension.
