Mexico treated a euphoric crowd to a 2-0 victory over Group A opponents South Africa in the opening game of the 2026 World Cup at the Azteca Stadium – which included three red cards.
The co-hosts needed just nine minutes to deliver the breakthrough when Julian Quinones pounced on a South African mix-up to drill through the legs of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Quinones was denied a brace by the post before half-time, but South Africa faced an even steeper task when Sphephelo Sithole upended last-man Erick Gutierrez early in the second half.
Raul Jimenez doubled the Mexicans’ lead with a free header in the 67th-minute to become his country’s joint-second all-time top goal scorer with his 46th international goal.
Referee Wilton Sampaio handed out two more red cards during the closing stages. Themba Zwane was dismissed for striking Roberto Alvarado following a VAR review, before Cesar Montes was controversially given his marching orders for a cynical tackle on Khuliso Mudau.
Early Mexican wave proves decisive
The first chance was presented to Jimenez inside four minutes when Israel Reyes broke down the right and delivered to the edge of the box. Wolves striker Jimenez unleashed a low first-time drive on the half-volley, but South Africa goalkeeper Williams plunged to his right to palm behind.
Buoyed by a raucous partisan crowd, Mexico rammed home their superiority when Quinones capitalised on a defensive blunder to drill a powerful finish through the legs of Williams after just nine minutes.
Williams attempted to build out from the back, but only succeeded in putting his teammate Sithole under pressure. His first touch was poor and Mexico swarmed around him in the Azteca heat.
Sithole was pickpocketed by Erik Lira – who was quick to pounce, and found Quinones to score the quickest opening goal at a World Cup since 2006.
South Africa ‘out of their depth’
South Africa looked out of their depth during the opening exchanges and Quinones was brimming with confidence after his opener. He received an in-field pass to spin into space, but powered a ferocious long-range shot off target.
The early tornado unleashed by Mexico somewhat tamed after the hydration break and South Africa began to settle on the ball after a shaky start.
Despite stemming the flow of the Mexicans’ attacks, South Africa still lacked the precision and panache to create anything meaningful in the final third.
Williams was at full stretch to claw a teasing delivery from Lira to safety. Jimenez ran across the front of his marker and looked poised to get a touch to the cross, but Williams was sharp on his toes to alleviate the danger.
However, he had his post to thank just moments later when Quinones’ side-footed shot from 15 yards cracked against his left upright, as Mexico ended the first period back in the driving seat.
A wayward header from Lyle Foster was the only time South Africa threatened inside the box, while their sole shot on target in the first half saw Mbekezeli Mbokazi force a comfortable save from Raul Rangel with a speculative shot from distance.
Gutierrez had a prime chance to double El Tricolor’s lead on the cusp of half-time, but sliced his close-range finish wide of the far post.
Bad to worse for South Africa
Williams repeated his error from the first half when he gifted straight to Alvaro Fidalgo less than 60 seconds after the break. Mexico were unable to take full advantage on this occasion, although Gutierrez did eventually blaze an audacious shot over from 30 yards.
Things went from bad to worse for a beleaguered South Africa when Sithole received the first red card of the 2026 World Cup for hauling down last-man Gutierrez just five minutes into the second half.
That only compounded Sithole’s misery following his cheap giveaway for Mexico’s opening goal. Foster was sacrificed when South Africa switched to a 4-3-2 for the remainder of the match.
Jimenez edges closer to all-time Mexico record
After spending much of the game on the ropes, South Africa buckled for the second time when veteran Jimenez ghosted in at the back post to head in a pinpoint cross from Roberto Alvarado midway into the second half.
Jimenez started the move with his back to goal and sprinted into the box as Quinones nudged it out to the right for Alvarado to set-up 35-year-old Jimenez to score his first ever World Cup goal.
The Wolves frontman also moved into joint-second in Mexico’s list of all-time top goal scorers – level with Jared Borgetti and to within six of record holder and former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez on 52.
Red card chaos
Substitute Zwane became the second South African to be sent off when he was adjudged to have struck Alvarado in the face with his forearm following a VAR review.
It was not be the last time Sampaio reached for his back pocket when Mexico defender Montes was red carded for tripping Mudau in full flow during stoppage time.
What’s Next?
Co-hosts Mexico will face South Korea in Guadalajara in their second group game on June 19 – while South Africa take on Czechia on June 18 in Atlanta.
Teams
Mexico (4-1-2-3): Rangel; Montes (red card 90 +2), Vasquez, Reyes, Gallardo; Lira (Alvarez 76); Fidalgo (Mora 66), Gutierrez (Chavez 66); Quinones (Vega 79), Jimenez (Gonzalez 76), Alvarado.
Not used: Ochoa, Acevedo, Sanchez, Romo, Gimenez, Pineda, Vargas, Huerta, Martinez, Chava.
South Africa (5-3-2): Williams; Okon, Mudau, Sibisi, Mbokazi, Modiba (Appollis 77); Adams (Zwane 61 – sent off 84), Sithole (red card – 49), Mokoena; Rayners (Makgopa 77), Foster (Mbatha 56).
Not used: Chaine, Goss, Matuludi, Maseko, Kabini, Makhanya, Sebelebele, Cross.
Match Details
Referee: Wilton Sampaio (Brazil)
Attendance: 80,824
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