3 reds, 2 goals: Mexico sweep South Africa 2-0 in frenetic FIFA World Cup opener
Mexico opened the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa in a match marred by three red cards. The result gave the co-hosts early control in Group A as Bafana Bafana were punished for their lacklustre performance.
Brief score: Mexico 2-0 South Africa (Julian Quinones 9', Raul Jimenez 67')
A Shakira performance and three red cards. It was certainly an electric start to the FIFA World Cup 2026 as 10-man Mexico defeated 9-man South Africa 2-0. If the FIFA World Cup 2010 opening day was one to remember for South Africa, Bafana Bafana were given a rude awakening by Mexico at the start of the 2026 edition.
MEXICO VS SOUTH AFRICA HIGHLIGHTS
The co-hosts dominated their opponents, who were toothless in attack and indisciplined with their conduct, seeing Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane get their marching orders. In stoppage time, Mexico's Cesar Montes was given his marching orders for denying a goalscoring chance as things got feisty inside the Mexico City stadium. This made the game the first World Cup match to have three red cards in it. A reminder that the 2022 World Cup had just four red cards all tournament.
For Mexico, they gained early momentum in Group A as they secured a 2-0 win, thanks to goals from Julian Quinones and star forward Raul Jimenez. They created multiple chances and controlled the game for most parts of the contest, leaving the fans inside the Mexico City stadium wanting more and a bit disappointed with the scoreline.
MEXICO FORCE SOUTH AFRICA BACK
The day began with a sensational opening ceremony headlined by Shakira and her performance of the Dai Dai song. Mexico started the game on the front foot and tested South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams early through Jimenez, who forced a save and a corner.
The home crowd didn't have to wait for long as Williams soon turned into a villain for his side as his misplaced pass to midfield was cut out by Gutierrez, who allowed Quinones to be on goal and slot it between the legs of the South African goalkeeper in the 9th minute. It was the third-fastest goal for El Tri in the World Cup and Quinones started to control the game more.
Mexico were using the wings to attack South Africa, who were struggling up front to find a footing and get back into the contest.
They were wasteful with their chances up front and allowed Mexico to control the ball more. By the end of the game, Mexico had 61 percent possession and 15 shots on goal as compared South Africa's four.
Both teams started to lose a bit of steam towards the final quarter of the half but Mexico quickly switched on as Jimenez almost made it 2-0 before Quinones hit the post. South African fans were happy that score remained 1-0, but the Mexican ones weren't.
JIMENEZ CAPTURES HIS MOMENT
Jimenez has been one of Mexico's greatest players and boasts a strong resume in the Premier League. Throughout the game, he was happy to link up with the forwards and drop back. Such a move helped Mexico to start the second half on the front foot and forced the first red card in the 50th minute.
Jimenez sent Gutierrez through on goal Sithole brought him down just outside the box. The ref said it was a clear denial of a goalscoring opportunity and brandished the red card.
This gave hope to the Mexican fans, who grew louder and louder, voicing their restlessness as they saw the 1-0 scoreline. This is when Jimenez stepped up and showed why he is the superstar of Mexico this World Cup.
Roberto Alvarado sent in a fine cross into the box and Jimenez produced a fine header with a poacher's finish. This was a player who suffered a life-threatening injury in 2020 and was out for nine months. The emotions and tears were justified as he put his side on the way for a win.
He came off soon after, just before the 10 minutes of madness kicked in.
South Africa went into damage control, but all the plans were thwarted as Zwane produced a wild swing and was given a red card for violent conduct. This made Bafana Bafana the first team to get two red cards in a single World Cup game after 2006.
But there was time for more drama, and this time with the Mexican defence. Cesar Montes was having a great game till that point, but he decided to stop a South African attack by bringing down the forward. It was brash and unwanted, and the El Tri skipper will miss the next three games.
For Mexico, the win means that they can rest a bit before their crucial clash against South Korea in a week. South Africa will now have their work cutout and will need to get a big win against Czech Republic on the same day to keep their hopes alive.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
Brief score: Mexico 2-0 South Africa (Julian Quinones 9', Raul Jimenez 67')
A Shakira performance and three red cards. It was certainly an electric start to the FIFA World Cup 2026 as 10-man Mexico defeated 9-man South Africa 2-0. If the FIFA World Cup 2010 opening day was one to remember for South Africa, Bafana Bafana were given a rude awakening by Mexico at the start of the 2026 edition.
MEXICO VS SOUTH AFRICA HIGHLIGHTS
The co-hosts dominated their opponents, who were toothless in attack and indisciplined with their conduct, seeing Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane get their marching orders. In stoppage time, Mexico's Cesar Montes was given his marching orders for denying a goalscoring chance as things got feisty inside the Mexico City stadium. This made the game the first World Cup match to have three red cards in it. A reminder that the 2022 World Cup had just four red cards all tournament.
For Mexico, they gained early momentum in Group A as they secured a 2-0 win, thanks to goals from Julian Quinones and star forward Raul Jimenez. They created multiple chances and controlled the game for most parts of the contest, leaving the fans inside the Mexico City stadium wanting more and a bit disappointed with the scoreline.
MEXICO FORCE SOUTH AFRICA BACK
The day began with a sensational opening ceremony headlined by Shakira and her performance of the Dai Dai song. Mexico started the game on the front foot and tested South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams early through Jimenez, who forced a save and a corner.
The home crowd didn't have to wait for long as Williams soon turned into a villain for his side as his misplaced pass to midfield was cut out by Gutierrez, who allowed Quinones to be on goal and slot it between the legs of the South African goalkeeper in the 9th minute. It was the third-fastest goal for El Tri in the World Cup and Quinones started to control the game more.
Mexico were using the wings to attack South Africa, who were struggling up front to find a footing and get back into the contest.
They were wasteful with their chances up front and allowed Mexico to control the ball more. By the end of the game, Mexico had 61 percent possession and 15 shots on goal as compared South Africa's four.
Both teams started to lose a bit of steam towards the final quarter of the half but Mexico quickly switched on as Jimenez almost made it 2-0 before Quinones hit the post. South African fans were happy that score remained 1-0, but the Mexican ones weren't.
JIMENEZ CAPTURES HIS MOMENT
Jimenez has been one of Mexico's greatest players and boasts a strong resume in the Premier League. Throughout the game, he was happy to link up with the forwards and drop back. Such a move helped Mexico to start the second half on the front foot and forced the first red card in the 50th minute.
Jimenez sent Gutierrez through on goal Sithole brought him down just outside the box. The ref said it was a clear denial of a goalscoring opportunity and brandished the red card.
This gave hope to the Mexican fans, who grew louder and louder, voicing their restlessness as they saw the 1-0 scoreline. This is when Jimenez stepped up and showed why he is the superstar of Mexico this World Cup.
Roberto Alvarado sent in a fine cross into the box and Jimenez produced a fine header with a poacher's finish. This was a player who suffered a life-threatening injury in 2020 and was out for nine months. The emotions and tears were justified as he put his side on the way for a win.
He came off soon after, just before the 10 minutes of madness kicked in.
South Africa went into damage control, but all the plans were thwarted as Zwane produced a wild swing and was given a red card for violent conduct. This made Bafana Bafana the first team to get two red cards in a single World Cup game after 2006.
But there was time for more drama, and this time with the Mexican defence. Cesar Montes was having a great game till that point, but he decided to stop a South African attack by bringing down the forward. It was brash and unwanted, and the El Tri skipper will miss the next three games.
For Mexico, the win means that they can rest a bit before their crucial clash against South Korea in a week. South Africa will now have their work cutout and will need to get a big win against Czech Republic on the same day to keep their hopes alive.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
